How to troubleshoot digital RPD production

In 2012, Bismarck/Mandan Dental Lab, a six-person, full service lab in Bismarck, ND, bought its first scanner and, three years later, purchased a printer to gain complete control over its digital partial denture fabrication process. 

As a result, the lab has nearly doubled its RPD production to about 20 per week and is delivering them to customers in less time. “We love the efficiency of the digital process—especially since two of our employees are gearing up for retirement and it’s so hard to find new removable technicians,” says Ken Kincaid, CDT, TE, Co-Owner.

For Kincaid, the hardest part of bringing digital technology in house was mastering the design software. After some initial training, he estimates he spent about two weeks playing with it before he was ready to work on cases; today, he’s so adept he frequently advises other printer owners. 

“The most common problem I...