Lab

Last updated: 2026-03-29

Overview

The Dental Lab module helps your clinic manage and track external lab orders (called "Cases"). Whether you are ordering a zirconia crown, a nightguard, or dentures, this tool tracks the patient details, specific tooth, color shades, materials, costs, and expected delivery dates.

When Do I Use This?

  • When you prep a patient's tooth and need to order a custom restoration (like a crown or bridge) from an external dental lab.
  • When front desk staff need to check if a patient's lab work has arrived before confirming their fitting appointment.
  • When managing your catalog of external lab services, their costs, and typical turnaround times.

How To Use

Creating a New Lab Case (Order)

  1. Navigate to the Lab Cases list.
  2. Click + New.
  3. Select the Tooth or Patient (selecting the tooth will automatically fill in the patient).
  4. Select the external Lab (Supplier) and the required Service (e.g., Zirconia Crown).
  5. Select the desired Shade and Material.
  6. Write any specific notes for the lab technician in the Instructions box.
  7. Click Save. The system will automatically calculate the expected Due Date and Cost based on the service selected.

Receiving a Lab Case

When the physical item arrives from the lab:

  1. Open the patient's Lab Case.
  2. Change the State to "Received" (or your clinic's equivalent status).
  3. Log the Received Date.
  4. Click Save. The front desk will now know the item is ready for the patient.

Field Descriptions

Lab Case Form

Field Name Description
Lab The external supplier/dental lab manufacturing the order.
Patient & Tooth The patient receiving the treatment and the specific tooth being worked on.
Practitioner The dentist or specialist requesting the lab work.
State The current status of the order (e.g., Draft, Sent, Received).
Service The catalog item being ordered (e.g., E-Max Crown, Retainer).
Shade & Stump Shade The color matching codes (e.g., A1, B2) to ensure the restoration matches the patient's natural teeth.
Material What the item is made out of (e.g., Gold, Zirconia, Acrylic).
Sent / Due / Received Dates Tracks when the case left the clinic, when it is expected back, and when it actually arrived.
Cost The amount the external lab charges for this case.
Instructions Specific notes, diagrams, or requests for the lab technician.

Lab Service (Catalog) Configuration

Used by managers to set up the list of orderable items.

Field Name Description
Lab Code The specific ID or code the external lab uses for this item.
Price The standard cost of this lab service.
Turnaround Days The number of days it typically takes the lab to make and return this item.
Tip: Smart Automations
To save you time, the system will automatically perform a few actions when you save a new case:
  • If you leave the Cost blank, it will automatically pull the standard price from the Service catalog.
  • If you leave the Due Date blank, the system will look at the service's "Turnaround Days" and calculate the exact date the case should arrive!
  • If you select a Tooth, you do not need to manually search for the Patient—the system will link them automatically.
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