In an industry where precision, speed, and esthetics are everything, many dental labs feel caught between rising costs and increasing demands. Balancing quality and affordability has become a daily challenge—especially for small to mid-sized labs competing with large-scale operations.
But here’s the good news: lowering your operational costs doesn’t have to mean cutting corners. With smart partnerships, strategic planning, and access to affordable resources, you can reduce overhead while improving both output and client satisfaction.
At AmericaSmiles, helping labs achieve this balance is our specialty. Let’s look at how your lab can cut costs without compromising on quality—and how AMS makes that possible.
Partnering with AMS for Built-In Savings
AmericaSmiles offers its member labs 15–20% savings on restorations, milling, and related services compared to national averages. How do we do it?
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Centralized Milling Services: Our high-volume, high-efficiency milling center allows us to offer full-contour crowns, bridges, and custom abutments at a significantly lower cost than what most labs can achieve in-house.
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Member Pricing on Materials: AMS members receive discounted rates on zirconia, PMMA, milling burrs, and other lab essentials—including the GenesisZr line—delivered straight to your door.
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Bundled Digital Solutions: Labs that purchase equipment like UP3D mills or NextDent printers through AMS not only get steep upfront savings (up to $10,000), but also gain access to membership pricing on materials for up to two years.
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Marketing & CE Value-Add: Unlike other providers, AMS helps your lab grow through services like the One Voice Program and the AMSEd Study Club—offering lead generation and CE-sponsored dentist exposure built into your membership.
When combined, these services not only improve case quality and turnaround time—they significantly reduce operational expenses that cut into your profit margins.
Real-World Results: Success Stories from the Network
Many AmericaSmiles labs are already seeing measurable savings and growth through this approach. Here are a couple of quick examples:
Case Study 1: Midwestern Lab Reduces Outsourcing Costs by 27%
A 4-person lab in Indiana was outsourcing nearly 40% of its zirconia crown work due to a lack of milling capacity and rising local prices. After joining AmericaSmiles, they began sending cases to AMS’s milling center and cut outsourcing costs by 27% in the first three months—while improving consistency and fit.
They also took advantage of AMS’s discounted supplies, saving an average of $600/month on zirconia discs, burrs, and stain/glaze materials.
Case Study 2: Startup Lab Breaks Even Within 4 Months of Equipment Purchase
A startup lab in Florida needed a full digital solution but couldn’t afford $50K+ in capital equipment. By purchasing the UP3D Premium Bundle through AMS, they saved nearly $10,000 and started taking on same-day model and crown jobs within the first month. With member pricing on GenesisZr and PMMA, they saw ROI within four months.
Additional Tips for Cost-Conscious Labs
Looking to stretch your lab budget even further? Here are a few strategies that work hand-in-hand with the AMS network:
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Standardize Materials: Consolidate your material selection around a few trusted options like GenesisZr Multi Pro or ST1100 to improve consistency and reduce waste.
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Outsource Selectively: Send specific cases—like full-contour zirconia or implant bars—to AMS when they can be done more cost-effectively than in-house.
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Bundle Supplies: Take advantage of bulk pricing or bundle deals through AMS to stock up on milling tools and consumables at member-only prices.
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Track Your Time: Evaluate how long each stage of production takes. If you’re spending hours troubleshooting equipment or remaking units, it might be more efficient (and cost-effective) to upgrade.
Running a successful dental lab in today’s economy doesn’t have to mean operating on razor-thin margins or sacrificing quality. With the right support system and cost-saving strategies in place, your lab can thrive—and grow—without compromise.
AmericaSmiles is here to help you do just that.
