Lab Requirements
The goal of SML is to always provide the best service possible. To assure that lab work is returned on time and the fit is accurate, the following is needed with every prescription:
• Due date and patient appointment date
• Accurate stone casts (yellow preferred) that capture all the teeth and soft tissue areas
• An accurate construction bite that represents the exact vertical and AP position
An accurate dental cast is the most importation step to ensuring an excellent fitting appliance. Therefore, it is always best to have each cast poured-up and inspected by the doctor for bubbles or distortion before the patient is released. This simple precaution can save you the expense and inconvenience of calling a patient back for new impressions. More importantly, it allows you to start the needed treatment without delay.
We recommend that preformed bands not be poured-up on the model. Simply tape bands to the prescription slip and label the bands -- right or left and upper or lower. Then take impressions without the bands in place. Teeth to be banded should be fully exposed. If they are not, we cannot guarantee the band fit.
Equally important as sending us a good cast, is providing us with an accurate construction bite. For step-by-step bite-taking procedures, refer to ACCURATE ALGINATE IMPRESSIONS (PDF) or CONSTRUCTION BITE INSTRUCTIONS (PDF).
When sending your case to the lab, it is important to wrap each cast individually in foam. Carefully place them in a sturdy corrugated box (mailing boxes are available upon request).
To save weight and extra cost, it is best to pour as small a base as possible -- or trim the casts before packing. Please wrap your construction bite separately from the casts. Place the construction bite in the box on top of the casts...and don’t forget to include your prescription.
CASE SUBMISSION PROTOCOL
To ensure that lab work is returned on time and the fit is accurate, please follow this protocol for each case submission:
1. INCLUDE A DETAILED PRESCRIPTION. Consult the “Appliance Therapy Worksheet” as a guide for designing the correct appliance.
2. BE SURE TO PROVIDE A DUE DATE AND PATIENT APPOINTMENT DATE WITH YOUR SUBMISSION. If there is a problem in meeting the due date, the lab will call and choose a delivery method that will ensure on-time delivery.
3. PROVIDE ACCURATE CASTS (POURED IN STONE) THAT CAPTURE ALL TEETH AND SOFT TISSUE AREAS. Air bubbles or holes on tooth surfaces are unacceptable. Either or both will negatively impact appliance fit. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you choose to send alginate impression to the lab for pouring, impressions must be wrapped in a wet paper towel and enclosed in a twist-tie plastic bag. SML IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPROMISE OF ALGINATE MODEL INTEGRITY DUE TO TRAVEL EXTREMES.
4. PROVIDE A CONSTRUCTION BITE THAT REPRESENTS THE EXACT VERTICAL AND AP POSITION. After making a correct diagnosis, a carefully taken construction bite is the singlemost important step to successful treatment. Check the completed construction bite by placing it back on the working models. Then carefully (and separately) wrap it for shipping.
