Then and Now
Posted Feb 10, 2026 in Management
How has the practice of laboratory subcontracting changed?
HISTORICALLY, subcontracting was synonymous with cast partial frameworks but, more recently, the proliferation of digital technologies and restorative options has been a driving force behind its growth.
As shown in the graph below, from 1995 to 2026, the percentage of labs that send work out to be fabricated has risen from 48% to 75%. They continue to see it as an opportunity to explore new technologies before purchasing, increase efficiency, adapt to shifting demands and compensate for staff shortages.
Another big change in the market: manufacturers and suppliers offering design and fabrication services are getting an increasingly larger slice of the market; in fact, they’re now receiving 45% of all work subcontracted by laboratories.
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