Dental labs will create and ship different orthodontic devices to orthodontists for patient use. Mabel Dental offers a complete orthodontics line with customizable solutions. Here are several ways dental labs help with orthodontics:
Clear Aligners
Patients may have different types of visible malocclusions. These include gapped teeth, crowded teeth, crossbite, or open bite. Dental labs can craft clear aligners to help patients improve their bites and smile. One type of removable clear aligner is Smile Shapers. These are a set of full-arch, sequential clear aligners that are made out of translucent thermoplastic. They are custom-fitted to a patient’s mouth, and patients can remove them while eating or drinking.
To order clear aligners, you will send the lab the patient’s physical or digital impressions, along with an Rx prescription with detailed instruction. The lab will work closely with you to create a suitable product and treatment plan. Once you approve the plan, the lab will create the aligners and ship them with a case and instructions. Mabel Dental creates the aligners in six business days. Patients receive one set at a time. Instruct patients to wear their aligners between 20 and 22 hours a day.
Depending on the lab, orthodontists have the option to directly send the lab digital impressions for greater convenience. If you have a compatible device, you can send digital impressions for clear aligners directly from your scanner. On our website, you also have the option of directly uploading digital files. This includes the Rx form, X-rays, scans, and photos. To send us physical impressions, Mabel Dental provides a downloadable shipping label.
Night Guards
Teeth grinding or clenching is an issue that some patients will experience. Bruxism can result in tooth damage. A dental lab can create custom night guards and bite splints for patients to help them avoid teeth grinding. These include a hard acrylic option for patients that require a non-flexible guard, a hard/soft splint with polyurethane and co-polyester layers, and an Impak™ night guard with balanced chewing surfaces and front guide planes. For the hard acrylic guard, we cure the acrylic to offer greater durability. A soft, vacuum-formed night guard may be appropriate for those who experience mild bruxism. Mabel Dental can also 3D-print night guards based on the patient’s scan.
Retainers
Retainers serve as the last stage in the alignment process. They help keep a patient’s teeth from shifting back after undergoing braces or other teeth straightening treatments. A dental lab offers different types of retainers based on the patient’s dental needs, previous orthodontic treatment, and preferences.
Two types of retainers that we offer are the Essix retainer and the Hawley retainer. The Essix retainer is a retainer made out of clear plastic, while the Hawley retainer uses custom-molded plastic and metal. The Hawley retainer has wires that sit over six front teeth and adjustable loops near the patient’s canines.
To order a retainer or other orthodontic device from a dental lab, you will be required to fill out an orthodontics Rx form. This form is available for download on our website. When ordering a Hawley retainer, use the available mouth illustration to diagram the placement of the retainer. You can also request a specific design. Mabel Dental provides the option of a temporary Essix retainer. Retainers usually take about seven days in-lab to create.
Sports Mouth Guards
Mouth guards help protect athletes from tooth damage by distributing the impact to the entire tooth. The impact distribution also helps protect athletes from long-term jaw damage. Professional-grade mouthguards allow athletes to breathe easily and retain the ability to speak while on the field. A dental lab can process thin, custom-size mouth guards for patients who play sports or engage in other athletic activities. Our team will provide custom sizing, which allows the guard to retain its shape. Different color and logo options are also available.
Sleep Apnea Devices
A dental lab is able to craft a snoring or sleep apnea device for your patient. These devices work to position the jaw and open the bite to keep the airway open. Upper and lower trays fit over the patient’s teeth, and hinge, hook, or strap into the mouth. These connecting mechanisms reposition the lower jaw forward. They are adjustable to help the patient achieve a jaw position that is both comfortable and functional for their needs.
Order Orthodontic Devices From Dental Labs
Along with creating custom devices, dental labs also repair appliance fractures, allowing the patient to continue their treatment. Mabel Dental works to provide high-quality orthodontic devices for our smile partners’ patients in a timely manner. We also offer dental implants, dentures, and other removable and fixed restorations. Mabel Dental also works with other labs to assist them with overflow work. To learn more about our orthodontic devices and other appliances, we invite you to contact us today.
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