Step 4 Dental Laboratory Quality Control
by GoDigital Dental
Welcome to the final part of our blog series, all about the process that we go through to create and manufacture quality dental products.
From dental implants to crowns and bridges, we take pride in offering a diverse range of products in our dental laboratory.
This last part of the process is all about dental laboratory quality control.
After the smile design is done for each case, the milling machines have fabricated the restorations, and ceramics have added their unique personalised service to the restoration, the final product needs to be carefully checked before it can leave the dental lab.
Does the work match the prescription on the ticket?
Every case comes with a detailed ticket, which acts as the blueprint for the entire job.
This ticket includes vital information such as patient details, the type of restoration required, materials to be used, shade guides, and any special instructions from the dentist.
It is essential that every aspect, from shape and size to colour and fit, aligns perfectly with what was requested. Any discrepancies can lead to delays or, worse, a restoration that does not meet the expectations of both patients and dentists.
Since the dental restoration has been specifically designed for a patient, our team of dental technicians cross-references the finished product against the ticket to ensure absolute accuracy.
Name and unique number on the models
Each case is clearly labelled with the patient’s name and a unique reference number on the models. This ensures full traceability and helps avoid any mix-ups during the quality control process.
Accurate labelling is essential for maintaining organisation and making sure that the right restoration goes to the right clinic.
Additional input from a member of the team
During dental laboratory quality control, a qualified and registered dental technician will carefully review any notes added to the ticket through the case.
These updates or adjustments provide important context and ensure that every detail has been considered, helping to maintain accuracy and uphold the highest standards before the final product is approved.
Dental Laboratory Quality Control Checks
Fit
One of the most crucial aspects checked during quality control is the fit of the restoration.
Whether it’s a crown and bridge restoration or implants, the product must sit comfortably in the patient’s mouth and match the specifications outlined on the ticket.
Any misalignment or poor fit can cause discomfort or complications, so our team rigorously inspects and, if necessary, makes fine adjustments to ensure the restoration meets our high standards before it leaves the lab.
Contact areas
To ensure proper fit and function, contact areas are carefully checked using an 8 micron shimstock.
This thin, flexible material allows technicians to assess how the restoration interacts with neighbouring teeth, ensuring that contacts are neither too tight nor too loose.
Correct contact points and areas are essential for patient comfort and long-term dental health, so this is an important part of the process that we need to get right.
Accurate occlusion
Another essential part of any restoration is that it needs to function correctly within the patient’s bite and existing dentition.
During the digital design phase, our CAD technicians draw on their years of experience and knowledge to create a balanced and functional occlusion. Thanks to today’s advanced CAD software, they can move through a case utilising all the digital features without having to employ analogue workflows such as articulation or spot grinding plaster models. This data guides the manufacturing process and digital workflow to ensure the restoration fits seamlessly with the opposing teeth.
In quality control, the occlusion is carefully checked and adjusted if needed to maintain comfort and prevent any issues with chewing or jaw alignment. Again, a shimstock is used with an 8 micron thickness to check the occlusion.
The shade match
Ensuring the restoration perfectly matches the patient’s natural tooth colour is a vital part of quality control.
Photos of the patients’ adjacent dentition are greatly underestimated. As a lab, we can produce an A3 crown, but, without vital oral information, we can only work to a shade guide. With the advancement of IOS files, we are able to see more of the shade than we would have 10 years ago. We can also detect a base shade of the stump with a good-quality IOS.
During the final check, the restoration is carefully compared to the ticket specifications to confirm an exact colour match. Achieving the right shade helps the restoration blend seamlessly, providing a natural and aesthetically pleasing result.
Photo comparisons
Like many dental laboratories, we like to get as much from patients as possible so we can produce the very best restorations for them.
As part of the final quality checks, we often refer to any photographs they, the dentist, or the patient were able to supply during the process.
These images offer valuable visual references for tooth shape, surface texture, and overall appearance. Photo comparisons are especially useful for the more visible anterior cases where visual detail is critical.
By comparing the finished restoration to these photos, we can ensure it closely matches the patient’s natural dentition and that it will look good too.
Hannah
Hannah is our Operations Manager at GoDigital Dental.
Amongst her other jobs, she casts her expert eye over cases in the name of quality control, ensuring every case meets the highest possible standards before leaving the lab. With more than 20 years of experience and a background spanning every department, including ceramics, metal work, implants and CAD/CAM, she brings exceptional technical insight to her role. Her thorough approach guarantees consistency, accuracy and reliability across all areas of production.
Alongside her focus on quality control, Hannah takes on many other responsibilities within the lab. From managing workflows to stepping in on the bench, she supports every department with skill and dedication.
Why having an additional pair of eyes for quality control helps
- Provides an unbiased perspective without attachment to the work
- Catches details the original technician may have overlooked
- Ensures consistency across different cases and technicians
- Acts as an added safeguard before the restoration reaches the patient
- Confirms the restoration matches the prescription and design requirements
- Reduces the chance of errors or remakes, saving time and cost
- Improves overall lab standards by maintaining a reliable checking process
- Builds confidence for both clinicians and patients in the final result
Sending the finished restorations to dentists for fitting
Once the restoration has passed all quality control checks and been approved, it is carefully prepared for dispatch. This includes securely packaging the item to protect it during transit and ensuring all accompanying documentation, such as the ticket and any relevant notes, is included.
We take great care to make sure everything is clearly labelled and organised, so the dentist receives a complete and accurate case ready for fitting.
The finished restoration is then sent directly to the dental clinic using a trusted courier service, selected for reliability and speed. Timely delivery is crucial to avoid delays in the patient’s treatment.
Once received, the dentist can proceed with the fitting, confident that the restoration has been thoroughly checked to meet the highest standards of accuracy, function, and aesthetics.
Representing advanced technology for digital dentistry success
At GoDigital Dental, we combine advanced digital dentistry techniques with years of hands-on expertise to produce high-quality restorations that meet the highest clinical and aesthetic standards.
As a UK-based dental laboratory, we are proud to support dentists and surgeries across the country, and beyond, with a full range of reliable, cutting-edge services.
Innovative techniques to deliver top-quality
Our dental lab uses the latest digital workflows to streamline every stage of the process, from scanning and design to milling and finishing. By embracing digital dentistry, we can produce crowns, bridges, and other dental products with exceptional precision and speed.
We use carefully selected materials and combine traditional craftsmanship with digital techniques to deliver consistent, high-quality results.
Whether it’s a single crown or your patient needs surgeries for implants, our goal is always to go the extra mile, offering a unique service that supports our clients and enhances patient outcomes.
Our team of dental industry experts
Behind every successful restoration is our dedicated team of professionals with extensive knowledge and experience in the dental industry. We take pride in our work, with our technicians applying their skills and understanding of dental materials to create functional, beautiful-looking restorations that last.
Our ongoing association with dental professionals and surgeries allows us to continually adapt and improve our services, delivering the combined benefit of technology and expertise to every client we support.
To learn more about our full range of dental laboratory services and how we support dentists across the UK, explore our website and then get in touch with us and see how we could help you!
Previous step
Ceramics
Once all components from CAD are complete, the case is moved to the ceramic area, where it will wait for the ceramic work to return from the milling centres.
By partnering with GoDigital Dental, you are gaining a team that’s invested in your successful move to digital dentistry. Let us help elevate your practice and deliver outstanding results for your patients.
Get in touch today and receive a complimentary consultation.
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GoDigital Dental | Dental Lab
6 Millennium Way West
Nottingham
NG8 6AS