Behind every crown, veneer, mouthguard, or custom dental appliance delivered at McLevin Dental is a dedicated and highly precise dental laboratory. While patients may never see it firsthand, our in-house and partnered lab processes are a vital part of our commitment to personalized, efficient, and technologically advanced care.
In this blog, well take you behind the scenes of our dental laboratory and reveal how this often-unseen part of the clinic plays a key role in creating accurate, aesthetic, and durable dental restorations.
The Role of a Dental Lab in Patient Care
The dental laboratory functions as the creative and technical heart of restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Its where raw digital data from scans and impressions are transformed into physical restorations and devices that fit seamlessly into a patients mouth.
Our lab team works closely with McLevin Dental clinicians to produce:
Crowns and bridges
Veneers
Inlays and onlays
Dentures and partials
Nightguards and retainers
Implant-supported restorations
Custom whitening trays and aligners
Each piece is handcrafted or digitally produced to exact specifications, ensuring optimal fit, function, and appearance.
From Chairside to Lab Bench: The Workflow
Digital Scanning:
Instead of messy traditional impressions, we use high-resolution intraoral scanners to capture detailed 3D images of a patients mouth. These scans are transmitted directly to the lab, often within minutes.
Digital Design (CAD):
Our lab technicians use advanced computer-aided design (CAD) software to digitally sculpt the restoration. This ensures that it fits perfectly with the patients bite, alignment, and gumline.
Material Selection:
Based on the case requirements, our team selects the appropriate material such as zirconia, lithium disilicate, acrylic, or composite based on strength, durability, and aesthetic goals.
Fabrication (CAM):
Using computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) systems, restorations are either milled or 3D printed with precise accuracy. In some cases, traditional hand-layering techniques are used for ultra-custom aesthetics.
Finishing and Polishing:
Once milled or printed, the restoration undergoes hand-finishing. This step includes staining, glazing, and polishing to match natural tooth color, translucency, and surface texture.
Quality Control and Fit Testing:
Every piece is inspected for accuracy in size, color match, and fit before being approved for delivery. If necessary, our lab team communicates with the clinical team for any refinements before patient placement.
Technology Enhances Every Step
Our dental lab uses the latest in dental technology to ensure speed and precision, including:
CAD/CAM software for precision design
Milling units and 3D printers for efficient production
Digital shade-matching tools for color accuracy
Intraoral and extraoral scanners for comprehensive modeling
Cloud integration so clinicians and lab staff can collaborate in real-time
These technologies help us reduce turnaround time, minimize chairside adjustments, and ensure consistently high-quality outcomes.
Collaboration Between Dentist and Technician
One of the unique strengths of McLevin Dental is our close collaboration between the clinical and lab teams. Whether its selecting the right material for a front tooth veneer or fine-tuning the occlusion on a complex bridge, this partnership ensures:
Faster communication and fewer errors
Aesthetic alignment with the patients smile design
Functionally optimized results based on real-time input
More efficient delivery, often with same-day turnaround on select restorations
This teamwork ensures that the end product reflects both the clinical goals and the patients expectations.
Customization for Every Patient
No two mouths are the same, and our dental lab embraces that. We customize every case based on factors like:
Facial symmetry
Tooth shape and size
Shade and translucency
Speech and phonetic considerations
Bite force and habits like bruxism
This high degree of personalization is what sets apart a great restoration from a generic one. Our lab doesnt just build dental devices it crafts solutions tailored to you.
Fast Turnaround, Lasting Quality
By combining in-house technology with select trusted partners, were able to offer fast production without sacrificing quality. For simple cases, same-day crowns are often possible. For more complex work, our process ensures durability, biocompatibility, and a natural look that integrates seamlessly with your existing teeth.
Final Thoughts
Though it operates behind the scenes, the dental lab at McLevin Dental is integral to your oral health journey. Every restoration, appliance, and prosthetic created here is a reflection of precision craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology, and personalized care.
So the next time you receive a crown or aligner at McLevin Dental, remember theres a whole team of skilled technicians working meticulously behind the scenes to make sure its just right for you.