Frequently Asked Questions

Strong technical command of margins, occlusion, and anatomy — every case is led by an experienced dental CAD specialist.

Yes, provided the vendor doesn't require a contract or minimum volume to start. Sending one real case is the lowest-risk way to evaluate turnaround, quality, and revision handling before committing further. See the full vendor checklist →

Scan files (STL), opposing arch, bite registration if relevant, and your case notes. We confirm receipt and set an expected turnaround before design begins.

Common signals include turning away cases or extending turnaround times, regularly paying design staff overtime, having a CAD designer role sit unfilled for weeks, or taking on new dentist clients without adding design headcount. See the full list of signals →

No — many labs with an established in-house team still outsource overflow capacity, unusual case types, or coverage during staff shortages, rather than replacing their team entirely.

Per-unit pricing typically ranges from about $10 for a simple coping to $28 for an implant crown over abutment, with per-arch pricing for removable and full-arch cases running higher. See the full pricing breakdown →

It depends on volume and consistency of case flow. A full-time in-house designer makes sense at steady high volume; outsourcing tends to be cheaper for overflow, uneven volume, or labs not yet at the point of justifying a full-time hire. Read the full comparison →

Labs sending 50+ units per month qualify for custom volume-based pricing, quoted once your monthly case volume is established.

With Dentlyworks, yes — unlimited revisions are included in the flat price on every case, until you're fully satisfied with the design. Not every vendor includes this, so it's worth confirming before comparing quotes.

Only if the outsourced partner is working from a written design preference sheet specific to your lab, rather than a generic default. See what belongs on that sheet →

Research on laboratory remakes points to communication gaps between dentist and lab as a leading contributor, particularly missing detail on porcelain selection, margin configuration, and pontic design. Read the full breakdown →

Every case runs a standing QC checklist for margins, contacts, and anatomy before it ships.

Visible gaps below the contact point between two teeth, usually caused by contact points placed too high or an emergence profile that doesn't fill the interproximal space correctly. See more common design flaws →

No. You still review every case before it goes to production, and a documented preference sheet plus a revision process means you're setting the standard, not the outsourced partner.

1–2 hours for crown & bridge, implants, removable, and digital smile design; 4–6 hours for full-arch/All-on-X — once we have complete scan files and case instructions.

Yes — same-hour rush is available on standard crown & bridge and implant cases as a paid add-on, quoted per case.

We flag anything ambiguous before design starts, not after. See common scan issues that cause delays →

Without a centralized way to see case status, a lab has to ask for updates manually or rely on email threads, which gets harder to manage as case volume grows. Read more →

Send us revision notes and we'll turn it around quickly — revisions are unlimited and included at no extra cost.

Neither is universally better — the right choice depends on your lab's case mix, team experience, and existing workflow. Read the full comparison →

We work natively in 3Shape and exocad. Send STL scan files, and we return designs in your preferred format — ready to mill or print.

Two separate design files for one restoration: a coping (the underlying framework) and a full-contour overlay meant to be layered with porcelain on top of it. Read the full explainer →

All major implant systems and scan body libraries are supported — note your system when you submit a case and we'll match the correct library.

Not for the outsourcing decision itself — a good partner should work natively in whichever platform your lab already uses, so files come back ready to use without conversion.