Stats about dental labs

Dental labs fabricate everything from crowns, bridges, veneers, dentures, and even implants. As of July 2013, there are 7,042 dental laboratories in the United States employing 33,600 dental technicians. Of those, about 3,000 are just one-man operations.

How many US dentists use Foreign dental labs?

Foreign dental labs have been rising every year, and according to the FDA, in 2013, over $1.6 billion was done by foreign dental labs for US dentists, which is 40% of all units (crowns, bridges, dentures, etc.) made. That means that almost half of all work is being outsourced to foreign dental labs outside the United States!

How much does it cost to start a dental lab?

In the 1990s, it cost only about $20k to have a competitive dental lab, now in 2014, it costs about $200k minimum.

Are labs required to be certified?

It turns out that many labs are not required to be certified. Only 5 states (Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Texas) have set guidelines for certification and standards.

How to tell if your dentist is using foreign or non-certified dental labs

You have the right to know where your crowns, or other dental implants are made! Ask your dentist what lab he is using, and be careful because even if it is a dental lab with a US address, they might still be importing from a foreign dental lab in China or Europe. You should ask for the point of origin and a list of materials used in whatever will be placed in your mouth.