There are clear differences between dental labs that service the whole United States on a national level and ones that are more local or regional. This article looks at some of these differences and why it may be possible to get better service from a smaller “regional” lab, even if your practice isn’t nearby.
Scale and Capacity
National dental labs beat most local labs in terms of capacity. Generally, they have larger facilities designed to handle a high volume of cases often from Dental Service Organizations, such as Aspen Dental or Heartland Dental, where their large volume encourages discounts.
As such, volume and velocity are their priorities; if your practice isn’t generating volume, however, you likely will not get the service level you want.
A local or regional lab can be more suited to handle the intermittent flow of orders that small and mid-sized practices deliver.
Digital Capabilities
Digital dentistry – CAD/CAM software and hardware – used to be left to the realm of larger national labs due to the cost. Technology has become more widespread and accessible allowing many regional labs to have the same digital capabilities as any large national company.
From 3D imaging and modeling to milling of crowns, a regionally-focused lab can operate as efficiently as any national one.
Expertise and Longevity
One advantage a smaller lab like Kuwata has is the expertise of its lab technicians.
As an independently owned and operated business, Kuwata is focused on retaining and training its employees as much as it is on delivering excellent products and services to its clients.
The two go hand-in-hand – the better the lab technicians are at their jobs, the better the results for your patients.
Turnaround Time
National labs may have the ability to offer faster turnaround times for cases. Smaller labs, however, are equipped with the technology and ability to create high-quality dental restorations the first time, which ultimately saves time and money.
With the latest technology, proper pre-treatment planning, and the creation of high quality products that fit correctly and look great when initially place, you’ll save time and have happier patients.
Local labs can always offer expedited turnaround times for clients who need it.
Shipping
Overnight, two-day, or courier service is available to every business these days. National labs don’t have an advantage when it comes to delivering or receiving your cases. The fact that more and more cases are being transmitted digitally, means that models and impressions that once had to be shipped to the lab are becoming less important.
A smaller lab can handle cases from anywhere in the country as easily as a national lab might.
Customization and Personalization
At Kuwata, we develop closer working relationships with dentists and dental practices and are happy to host dentists and have in-person meetings with our technicians. Our team can work with a dentist’s individualized preferences.
Proximity of a smaller, non-national lab, such as Kuwata, facilitates better communication, collaboration, and customization of dental restorations, and so does expertise.
National labs, while they may strive for personalized service, may face challenges in maintaining the same level of interaction due to volumes and different priority sets.
Cost
Disposable dentistry is not cost-effective. Focusing on the balance between the highest quality and reasonable pricing is the best way to deliver superior outcomes for your patients and a profitable dental practice.
You may pay less at a national lab for a crown, but if that crown doesn’t fit or is made of cheap material, you aren’t really saving.
A happy patient who is in your chair for the least amount of time is going to be your best source of profit.
While these differences are generalizations, there are exceptions. Kuwata has a strong regional reputation that can handle any case from any dentist; servicing dentists with complex cases and special needs from all over the country. Focusing on the quality of the product, the expertise of the technicians, and the customer service offered, should be the way a dental practice chooses its lab – whether around the block, across the state, or on the other side of the country.