What’s the Difference Between a Dental Lab and a Dentist?
Dental labs and dentists play distinct but complementary roles in oral healthcare. While dentists diagnose and treat patients, labs like Sho Dental Laboratory fabricate custom restorations to support dental treatments.
The Role of a Dentist in Patient Care
Dentists are responsible for diagnosing, treating, and preventing oral health issues. They perform examinations, take impressions, and recommend treatments such as crowns, bridges, dentures, or implants. General dentists handle routine care like fillings and cleanings, while specialists, such as prosthodontists and orthodontists, focus on complex cases requiring advanced restorations. Once a dentist determines the best course of treatment, they rely on a dental lab to craft high-quality restorations.
The partnership between a dentist and a lab ensures that patients receive functional and aesthetic dental solutions tailored to their needs. Although dentists work directly with patients, they depend on skilled technicians at Sho Dental Laboratory to create precise and durable restorations.
The Role of a Dental Laboratory in Restoration Fabrication
A dental laboratory focuses on manufacturing customized dental restorations and appliances. Technicians use impressions, digital scans, and dentist specifications to design and craft crowns, veneers, dentures, and implants. Advanced technology, including CAD/CAM systems and 3D printing, ensures high accuracy and efficiency in the fabrication process.
Unlike dentists, lab technicians do not interact with patients directly but play a crucial role in ensuring restorations fit comfortably and function effectively. At Sho Dental Laboratory, we combine artistry with technology to produce restorations that meet the highest quality standards, supporting dentists in delivering exceptional care to their patients.