Careers
Few things are more frustrating than receiving a crown or bridge from the lab that doesn’t fit properly. Lab remakes cost time, disrupt schedules, frustrate patients, and eat into profitability.
While Pro Art Dental Lab maintains a remake rate well below industry averages, we’ve noticed a consistent pattern: the vast majority of remakes are avoidable with just a few extra checks before submission.
In this blog, we’ll walk through the top five areas dentists can double-check to drastically reduce the chance of a remake and improve clinical outcomes.
1. Impression Accuracy (or Scan Clarity)
The Problem: Inaccurate margins, voids, bubbles, or drag marks in PVS impressions can lead to ill-fitting restorations. For digital scans, overlap cases, incomplete or distorted scans compromise the design.
What to Check:
• Is the margin clearly visible and 360 degrees around the tooth?
• Are there voids or bubbles at the gingival margin?
• Was hemostasis achieved before scanning?
• Are all surfaces of adjacent and opposing teeth captured?
Pro Tip: Take an intraoral photo of the impression or scan and review it critically before sending it off.
2. Margin Clarity
The Problem: If the margin is indistinct or the preparation is subgingival without clear retraction, our technicians have to guess where to end the crown.
What to Check:
• Have you used proper retraction techniques (cord, paste, laser, etc.)?
• Is the finish line smooth and continuous?
• Have you double-checked your scan for margin visibility?
• Check expiry date on impression materials
Pro Tip: Mark your margin in the scanner software before submitting the file to ensure accurate interpretation.
3. Bite Records and Occlusion
The Problem: An incorrect or distorted bite record leads to high occlusion or open contacts, requiring significant adjustment chairside.
What to Check:
• Is your bite registration stable and not too thick?
• Was the patient biting in CR (Centric Relations) or habitual occlusion?
• Are opposing casts/articulated models mounted correctly (if applicable)?
Pro Tip: For digital workflows, use bite scan features that record dynamic occlusion to improve accuracy. All cosmetic cases must include a stump shade
4. Lab Script Completeness
The Problem: Missing details in the lab script often force the lab to make assumptions, which may not match your clinical intent.
What to Check:
• Is the material clearly specified (zirconia, lithium disilicate, PFM)?
• Have you included the shade, stump shade, and any special instructions?
• Have you indicated the type of cementation or prep style?
Pro Tip: Use a checklist-based lab script template to ensure consistency across your team.
5. Pre-Op and Shade Photos
The Problem: Esthetic remakes often happen due to inaccurate shade matching or miscommunication about desired contours or surface texture.
What to Check:
• Did you include a photo with a shade tab under natural lighting?
• Have you provided a close-up of adjacent teeth for context?
• Are you using a standard shade guide?
Pro Tip: Label your photos and include a note about lighting conditions (e.g., natural, fluorescent, operatory light).
Bonus Tip: Call the Lab – Pro Art Dental Laboratory
Don’t underestimate the power of a quick call. If you’re unsure about prep design, material selection, or shade interpretation, reach out. Our technicians at Pro Art Dental Lab are always available for real-time support.
Final Thoughts
Lab remakes aren’t just inconvenient, they impact your bottom line and patient satisfaction. But with a few intentional checks and a solid communication system, you can eliminate most of the common issues that lead to remakes.
At Pro Art Dental Lab, we believe in proactive collaboration. If you’d like to review your workflow with us or need tools to improve your case submissions, we’re here to help.
Want to reduce remakes in your office? Contact us at 1-800-268-677, and we’ll walk you through our dentist success checklist.