What is a digital dental lab?
A plain explanation of how a digital dental laboratory works, what it can and cannot do remotely, and how it differs from a traditional lab.
ReadDigital dental laboratories
A digital dental laboratory works from intraoral scans rather than physical impressions. The case arrives as a file, the design is produced in CAD software, and the restoration is milled or printed — often in a different country from the practice that ordered it.
Every laboratory below accepts cases remotely through LabMatch. You upload the scan, receive a written quote, review the design and pay only when it is ready to download.
What to look for
- Scanner compatibility — whether they accept your STL, PLY or OBJ export
- The indications they cover and a portfolio that proves it
- Published pricing per unit or per case
- Turnaround and whether a rush option exists
- Reviews from other dentists on the profile
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 is a digital dental lab?
A digital dental lab designs and manufactures restorations from digital scans using CAD software, milling machines and 3D printers, instead of stone models and hand waxing. Cases can be sent and returned entirely online.
Is a digital dental laboratory cheaper?
Digital laboratories usually remove courier costs and remake cycles caused by poor impressions, and design-only services are cheaper than full manufacture. The quoted price still depends on the indication and the laboratory.
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
How to send digital scans to a dental lab
A step-by-step guide to sending intraoral scans (STL, PLY, OBJ) to a dental laboratory online, avoiding the most common file and prescription mistakes.
ReadWorking with dental laboratories remotely: a guide for dentists
How remote collaboration with a dental lab actually works day to day — files, communication, quality control and payments.
Read