exocad workflows: what dentists and labs need to know
How exocad fits into a remote dental design workflow, which files it needs, and how to work with an exocad designer without owning a licence.
ReadDental CAD design laboratories
Dental CAD design is the part of the workflow that turns an intraoral scan into a manufacturable restoration. Whether your practice mills in-house or your laboratory outsources the design step, working with a dedicated remote CAD designer removes the bottleneck without adding software licences or staff.
The designers listed here work in exocad, 3Shape and comparable software and deliver STL files ready for your mill or printer. Each profile shows the software they use, indicative prices and typical turnaround.
What to look for
- The CAD software they use, and whether it matches your production chain
- Portfolio work in the indication you need — anteriors, implants, full arch, RPD
- Whether the design is sent for your approval before you manufacture
- Price per unit versus price per case, and what a revision costs
- Turnaround, including whether they cover weekends
How it works on LabMatch
- 1. Upload your scans and describe the case in a private workspace.
- 2. Receive a written quote before any work starts.
- 3. Review the design and ask for adjustments.
- 4. Pay the quoted amount and download the final files.
Accounts are free for dentists and laboratories. LabMatch keeps 10% of a paid case; the laboratory receives 90%.
Create a free accountFrequently asked questions
What does a dental CAD/CAM designer do?
A dental CAD/CAM designer takes digital impressions and designs the restoration in software such as exocad or 3Shape, producing files that a mill or 3D printer can manufacture. Many work entirely remotely for practices and laboratories.
Do I need my own CAD software to use a remote designer?
No. You upload the scan and receive a finished STL. Software is only needed if you want to open and inspect the design yourself, and free STL viewers are enough for that.
How much does dental CAD design cost per unit?
Prices vary by indication and designer. Laboratories on LabMatch publish indicative prices per unit or per case on their profile, so you can compare before sending a case.
How much does it cost to use LabMatch?
Accounts are free for dentists and for laboratories. The dentist pays the amount the laboratory quotes — there is no surcharge. LabMatch retains a 10% commission on paid cases and the laboratory receives 90%.
Can I work with a laboratory in another country?
Yes. Every case runs remotely: scans, photos and prescriptions are uploaded to a private case workspace, and the finished design is downloaded there after payment. Physical location is optional for a laboratory.
Which file formats can I send?
STL, PLY, OBJ, DICOM, JPG, PNG and PDF are supported. Most intraoral scanners export STL as a minimum; PLY and OBJ additionally carry colour, which helps with margin lines and shade communication.
Related guides
What does digital dental design cost?
How laboratories price digital design work: per unit vs per case, rush surcharges, and how to compare quotes fairly.
ReadHow to choose a dental lab for CAD/CAM restorations
The practical criteria for picking a digital dental laboratory: portfolio, turnaround, pricing model, communication and remakes policy.
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