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Honest conversations with the people shaping the future of dentistry. From practice owners to industry disruptors, we dive into real stories, smart strategies, and behind-the-scenes insights you won’t hear anywhere else. No fluff—just the ideas and experiences that move dental practices forward.

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Hacking the Dental Lab: A New Approach

In this episode of the ZenOne podcast, Tiger and Ayrat delve into the intricacies of dental lab operations, focusing on the challenges faced with traditional labs and the advantages of in-house milling and digital workflows. They discuss the importance of consistent quality in dental restorations, the role of designers, and the cost-effectiveness of using milling centers. The conversation also touches on advancements in color matching techniques and the future of dental labs in the context of evolving technology.

06/17/2025

40:00

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dental Lab Hacking
02:58 Challenges with Traditional Dental Labs
05:46 In-House Milling vs. Traditional Labs
08:58 The Role of Designers in Dental Restorations
12:06 Cost Analysis of Dental Restorations
14:49 Choosing the Right Milling Center
19:40 Understanding Crown Costs and Patient Expectations
22:25 The Advantages of Milling Centers
25:57 Comparing Costs: Traditional Labs vs. Milling Centers
29:11 The Future of Dental Labs and Milling Centers
33:11 Challenges in Color Matching and New Technologies
36:43 Optimizing Workflow and Cost Efficiency

Takeaways

  • The biggest problem in dental labs is inconsistent quality.
  • In-house milling can provide better control over restoration quality.
  • Communication with labs is crucial for successful outcomes.
  • Milling centers offer factory-level production without high overhead costs.
  • Digital workflows can significantly reduce turnaround times for dental restorations.
  • Cost analysis shows significant savings when using milling centers.
  • Quality of design can be better with overseas designers.
  • Color matching remains a challenge in dental aesthetics.
  • AI is becoming an integral part of dental design processes.
  • The future of dental labs may involve more reliance on milling centers.