Colorado is one of the best competitive and dynamic dental markets in the United States. The state has the highest number of dentists per capita in the nation, at 51.6 per 100,000 people, well above the national average.
In this article, we will introduce you to resources available to dental practices in Colorado and help you better assess your outsourcing options. Additionally, we will explore an innovative outsourcing model that might enable dentists and dental laboratories to save over 30%. This guide is designed to help Colorado dentists and dental labs create a lab evaluation program that isn’t constrained by geography and determine which lab partner is best for them, their positioning, their case mix, and their future growth.
Pls note that all companies listed are based on publicly available information. No affiliation or endorsement is implied.
1. List of Dental Labs in Colorado
To give you an overview of the leading dental laboratories in Colorado, we have listed the companies below, along with their websites and years of foundation, for your comparison.
| NO. | Company | Website | Year Established |
| 1 | PDA Dental Laboratory | https://pdacolorado.com/ | 2003 |
| 2 | Denver Dental Arts | https://ddalab.com/ | 1989 |
| 3 | Auraria Dental Lab | https://aurariadentallab.com/ | 1986 |
| 4 | Peebles Prosthetics, Inc. | https://peeblesdentallab.com/ | 1984 |
| 5 | Rocky Mountain Dental Laboratory | https://adadentallab.com/ | 1978 |
| 6 | Gnathodontics, Ltd. | https://gnatho.com/ | 1975 |
| 7 | JR Dental Laboratory | https://jrdentallab.com/ | 1999 |
| 8 | ASK Dental Arts, LLC | https://www.askdentalarts.com/ | 1999 |
| 9 | On the Cusp Dental Laboratory | https://www.ocdguys.com/ | 2020 |
| 10 | BestoDental | https://bestodental.com/ | 2012 |
2. Top 10 Dental Labs in Colorado
To assist you with in-depth insight into each company, we will introduce each of the top 10 dental labs in Colorado individually below.
Top 1: PDA Dental Laboratory
Now in its 25th year in operation, PDA Dental Laboratory is a family dental laboratory with 30 years of experience located in Lafayette, Colorado. The lab has a focus on highly esthetic crowns and veneers, implant restorations, fixed/retrievable hybrid implant restorations, and full mouth reconstructions. With the personalized service a family company offers, PDA utilises state-of-the-art technology and precision-enabled equipment to deliver state-of-the-art restorative solutions. The lab performs on challenging complex cases and routine single posterior cases for dentists throughout Colorado and the country, with overnight local and national shipping.
PDA Dental Laboratory is equipped with a state-of-the-art CAD/CAM center, which can manufacture custom titanium, titanium-nitride, and zirconia abutments for almost all implant systems. Whenever available, the custom abutment is made by the manufacturer of the original implant to guarantee congruency of warranties, screw tolerances, and torque. All the laboratory’s experienced technicians create all the abutments in-house, and the laboratory has a complete focus on ideal tissue contour and restoration support. With all-porcelain restorations, IPS e.max from PDA provides excellent esthetics and enhanced strength for bonding or conventional cementation. The technical team offers shading, email communication of photos, and consultative assistance as part of the restorative process. Focusing on precision, on-time delivery, and accuracy, PDA Dental Laboratory is a valuable resource for restorative dentists looking to confident and predictable clinical results.
Website: https://pdacolorado.com/
Year established: 2003
Location: Lafayette, Colorado, USA
Products:
- Highly Esthetic Crowns and Veneers
- Implant Restorations
- Fixed/Retrievable Hybrid Implant Restorations
- Full-Mouth Reconstructions
- Custom Abutments (Titanium, Titanium-Nitride, Zirconia)
- All-Porcelain Restorations (IPS e.max)
Top 2: Denver Dental Arts
Denver Dental Arts is a full-service dental lab conveniently situated outside of Denver, in Lakewood, Colorado. Tim Moore, a Certified Dental Technician, started the lab in 1989 as the U.S. Army trained him, called Dentatech.In 2012, the lab was bought by Genaro Camarillo and evolved from its inception as a denture lab to a full-service restorative lab, continuing its legacy with a new name: Denver Dental Arts. The laboratory serves as an expanding full-service dental laboratory providing dental practices with a wide variety of fixed and removable prosthetics today.
Denver Dental Arts uses the latest in digital dentistry technologies to provide innovative dental implant-retained prosthetics, full-contour zirconia restorations, digital dentures, and high-quality crown and bridge restorations. The removable department in the laboratory is devoted to both full and partial dentures, with the whole denture using the Ivocap injection system for hypoallergenic and durable results. In-house digitally designed and milled prosthetics, custom abutments, and precision manufacturing are used in fixed and implant departments to ensure outstanding accuracy. Services offered include custom shading in the lab and same-day reline & repair. Denver Dental Arts lives by its values and continues to be a smaller laboratory that takes enough time to work on each case they ship to ensure high-quality and timely delivery for each restoration.
Website: https://ddalab.com/
Year established: 1989
Location: Lakewood, Colorado, USA
Products:
- Digital Dentures
- Full-Contour Zirconia Restorations
- Implant-Retained Prosthetics
- Crown and Bridge Restorations
- Full Dentures (Ivocap Injection System)
- Removable Partial Dentures (Cast, Acrylic, Flexible)
- Hybrid Restorations
- Custom Abutments
- Night Guards and Splints
- Reline & Repair Services
Top 3: Auraria Dental Lab
Auraria Dental Lab was established on April 29th, 1986, in Westminster, Colorado, as a complete dental lab. Starting with a singular mission to create excellent dental restorations, it has become one of the premier names in dental craftsmanship in Colorado. The laboratory, led by Jim Del Rosario, who started working in the dental arts in 1977 and has been practicing for almost 50 years, keeps setting new standards, combining traditional methods with modern innovations. Among the most experienced dental laboratories in the United States, Auraria Dental Lab offers full-service restorative solutions to dental practices located all over Colorado and across the country.
The laboratory is well known for handcrafted dentures, implant-supported crowns, bridges and overdentures, and is using state of the art materials such as KATANA™ Zirconia for strength and translucency. By adopting digital dentistry, Auraria Dental Lab accelerates case production by bringing in intraoral scanning technology and CAD/CAM processes that cut down on the turnaround time and boost accuracy. The removable department produces full and partial dentures, flippers, flexible partials (ValPlast®), and relines and repairs. The laboratory can also create custom oral appliances such as Essix retainers, nightguards, GELB splints, snore guards, and athletic mouthguards. Auraria Dental Lab is dedicated to quality, reliability, and artistry, offering a commitment to providing restorations that are technically brilliant and personalized, while also providing a commitment to fast turnaround times with their rush case services.
Website: https://aurariadentallab.com/
Year established: 1986
Location: Westminster, Colorado, USA
Products:
- Handcrafted Dentures (Full and Partial)
- Implant-Supported Crowns, Bridges, and Overdentures
- Full Contour Zirconia Crowns (KATANA™ Zirconia)
- Flippers and Flexible ValPlast® Partials
- Reline and Repair Services
- Essix Retainers and Suck-Down Retainers
- Nightguards and GELB Splints
- Snore Guards and Athletic Mouthguards
Top 4: Peebles Prosthetics, Inc.
Peebles Prosthetics, Inc. is a full-service dental lab that was established as a removables lab in 1984 and incorporated in 1991. The laboratory, based in Lakewood, Colorado, at the base of the Rocky Mountains, has expanded from its removable roots to become the full-service restorative facility that it is today, providing services to the Denver metro area and beyond. In 2002, under the direction of founder Rick Peebles, C.D.T. became a full-service laboratory, and in 2013 the laboratory opened a 19,500 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility that includes the Peebles Center for Higher Education for continuing education and hands-on courses for dental professionals. Since 1989, the lab has also been very active in the Dental Lifeline Network (DLN) and has made more than 139,000 dollars worth of fabrications to the organization.
Peebles Prosthetics offers a variety of restorative treatments: IPS e.max crowns, dental implants, custom dentures, fixed and removable prosthetics. The laboratory is embracing digital dentistry, with the use of the latest CAD/CAM systems and 3D printers and the integration of the intraoral scanner, to optimise production, guarantee precision and accuracy. The technical team consists of specialized ceramists and implant specialists and works closely with the dentists to create individual life-like restorations. Peebles Prosthetics is known for being dedicated to providing quality, individualized care and clear communication, making them a partner in caring for each patient to enhance his or her function and appearance.
Website: https://peeblesdentallab.com/
Year established: 1984
Location: Lakewood, Colorado, USA
Products:
- IPS e.max Crowns
- Dental Implants
- Custom Dentures (Full and Partial)
- Fixed and Removable Prosthetics
- Implant-Supported Restorations
- Crown and Bridge Restorations
- Custom Oral Appliances
Top 5: Rocky Mountain Dental Laboratory
Rocky Mountain Dental Laboratory is a family-owned and operated dental lab in Fort Collins, Colorado, in the northern part of Colorado. The lab was established in 1978 and has been providing high-quality dental ceramics and implant-supported restorations to Colorado and Wyoming dental professionals and oral surgeons for over 40 years. The laboratory operates on a small team, providing consistency and personal attention to the client, and has built a reputation for integrity, trust, and excellent service. The laboratory’s specialties include natural-looking and aesthetic restorations and providing custom shade consultations for smile makeovers.
Rocky Mountain Dental Laboratory offers a full menu of restorative options, such as dental implants, crown and bridgework, and full smile enhancement. The laboratory’s dedication to quality and local manufacturing is evident in all of its American-made products. The primary objective of the lab is to shorten the chair time for dentists and to make their patients more comfortable with the precision prosthetics. The laboratory has over 40 years of experience in all aspects of the restorative process, and they are dedicated to ongoing staff education and best practices. Rocky Mountain Dental Laboratory is a dental lab in Colorado and Wyoming with positive, productive relationships with its clients and reliable, high-quality restorations that are customized with personal service.
Website: https://adadentallab.com/
Year established: 1978
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
Products:
- Dental Implants
- Implant-Supported Restorations
- Crown and Bridge Restorations
- Complete Smile Makeovers
- Dental Ceramics
- Custom Shade Consults
Top 6: Gnathodontics, Ltd.
Founded in 1975, Gnathodontics, Ltd. is a full-service dental lab located in Lakewood, CO. The lab has an extensive track record of providing a complete range of fixed and removable prosthetics to Colorado’s dental practices, and has established itself as a leading dental lab in the area. The laboratory has specialized departments for CAD/CAM crowns and implants, removables and partial frames, crown and bridge and ceramics, with Certified Dental Technicians (CDT) having extensive technical knowledge.
There is a wide range of products available for restoring within gnathodontics: E.Full zirconia crowns, Lithium Disilicate crowns, porcelain fused to zirconia (PFZ), porcelain fused to metal (PFM), and full cast gold restorations. The laboratory is embracing digital dentistry with CAD/CAM workflow, the integration of intraoral scanners, and digital dentures. Full and partial dentures, splints, relines, and repairs are services that can be removed. They have clear turnaround times, so you can have a model-less zirconia crown in 4 days, a full zirconia in 5 days, an acrylic splint in 5 days, and get your implant crown or metal framework case in 10–14 days. Other services include custom shading, Ceramage restorations, orthodontic appliances and splints by Keysplint Clear. Gnathodontics remains a trusted partner in providing top-tier restorative services, ensuring that dentists everywhere in Colorado and beyond can depend on their quality work, effective communication, and timely delivery.
Website: https://gnatho.com/
Year established: 1975
Location: Lakewood, Colorado, USA
Products:
- E.Max/Lithium Disilicate Restorations
- Full Zirconia Crowns (FZC)
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Zirconia (PFZ)
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM)
- Full Cast Gold Crowns (FCC)
- Ceramage Restorations
- Custom Shade Services
- Full and Partial Dentures
- Implant Crowns and Surgical Stents
- Digital Dentures
- Splints (Acrylic, Keysplint Clear)
- Orthodontic Appliances
- Relines and Repairs
Top 7: JR Dental Laboratory
Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, JR Dental Laboratory is a full-service dental lab. It was established on 22nd December 1999 and has served the dental fraternity for over 20 years. John Rocha established his career in dental technology in 1981, and seven years later opened his own dental laboratory, JR Dental Laboratory, in his home, which functioned for the first 12 years in a dedicated space. The laboratory is currently based at 1120 N. Circle Dr., Suite 150, and offers quality restorative solutions to dental practices throughout the region. We are proud to be a Dentsply Sirona InLab certified CAD-CAM digital dental lab, and to mill traditional and digital impressions on-site.
The laboratory has a complete inventory of products, including full-contour zirconia, IPS e.max® restorations, and porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns. High precision, consistency, and aesthetic quality are a priority for all JR Dental Laboratory restorations, which is achieved through the use of the latest digital technology combined with masterful craftsmanship. For more than 10 years, the laboratory has been the sole crown and bridge lab for several dental practices and has proven dependable and of high quality. Founder John Rocha is very involved in case consultations and providing direct technical support to clinicians. Committed to being at the cutting edge of technology – even helping clients to make the switch to digital scanning – JR Dental Laboratory is poised to be the trusted partner in providing unmatched patient care.
Website: https://jrdentallab.com/
Year established: 1999
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
Products:
- Full-Contour Zirconia Restorations
- IPS e.max® Restorations
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns
- Crown and Bridge Restorations
- Digital Impressions (CAD/CAM)
Top 8: ASK Dental Arts, LLC
Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Littleton, CO, ASK Dental Arts, LLC is a dental laboratory that provides service to ASK Dentists throughout the Denver metro area and state of Colorado. The company was established by Jeffrey Kipp, a Certified Dental Technician (CDT) who has over 50 years in the dental field and strives to 100% satisfy his clients. ASK Dental Arts is an implant, all-ceramics, metal-based restoration, and digital design practice, collaborating with both generalists and specialists to offer solutions to simple to the most complex cases. The laboratory has been in steady growth since 2006 when it switched to a digital workflow, and has established a trusted brand among more than 270 dental practitioners.
With all-ceramic restorations that combine lifelike esthetics, translucency, and durability, ASK Dental Arts offers a complete range of restorative solutions, including traditional porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) restorations and full cast crowns. Laboratory work is also performed for the production of long-lasting implant restorations that are long-lasting. In the spirit of embracing digital dentistry, ASK Dental Arts utilizes the most current CAD/CAM technology to digitally design and manufacture prosthetics, both from traditional impressions and digitally scanned in a precision-driven and efficient manner. The laboratory is dedicated to providing high-quality craftsmanship and customized service, having contributed to the smiles of more than 11,000 patients. The laboratory is known for its commitment to quality craftsmanship and personalized service, contributing to over 11,000 happy smiles.
Website: https://www.askdentalarts.com/
Year established: 1999
Location: Littleton, Colorado, USA
Products:
- All-Ceramic Restorations
- Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Restorations
- Full Cast Crowns
- Implant Restorations
- CAD/CAM Digital Design
Top 9: On the Cusp Dental Laboratory
Founded in February 2020 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, On the Cusp Dental Laboratory is a full-service dental laboratory. The laboratory was started by dental professionals Jim and Allen, who have 50 years combined experience in the profession. It is registered at its premises, 12445 E. The laboratory is located on 39th Ave., Unit 15 in Denver, and provides services to dental practices in the area and across the country. On the Cusp Dental Laboratory is dedicated to changing the dental industry by combining the best of corporate and local dental offices.
The laboratory has a track record in a wide variety of dental reconstructions with a strong focus on high-quality dentures and removable restorations. Products range from economy/immediate dentures to premium dentures, hybrid dentures, locator bar overdentures, framework partial dentures (which use a patented metal called Vitallium 2000, a chromium cobalt alloy), flexible partial dentures (which use a variety of brands including Duraflex, VisiClear, TCS, and Valplast), and palatal and pharyngeal obturators. The lab’s turnaround times are well defined, and most denture products are sent back within 5 to 12 business days. The laboratory is committed to using advanced digital technologies alongside a solid understanding of conventional removable prosthetics to improve accuracy and uniformity. On the Cusp Dental Laboratory’s 5.0-star rating and quality assurance promise to serve as a reliable ally for dental practitioners looking for dependable, cosmetic, and patient-centric restorative options.
Website: https://www.ocdguys.com/
Year established: 2020
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA
Products:
- Economy/Immediate Dentures
- Premium Dentures
- Hybrid Dentures
- Locator Bar Overdentures
- Framework Partial Dentures (Vitallium 2000)
- Flexible Partial Dentures (Duraflex, TCS, Valplast, VisiClear)
- Unilateral Partial Dentures
- Temporary Partial Dentures
- Palatal & Pharyngeal Obturators
- Internal Frameworks
Top 10: BestoDental
Located in the center of Fuyong, Shenzhen, one of the key bases of dental labs in the world, BestoDental makes full use of its advantage of being located near Hong Kong International Airport for efficient global logistics. The laboratory is able to produce over 20,000 cases per month with a fully digital 3D workflow. Materials from the best suppliers, including Aidite, Dentsply, and Ivoclar.
Many dentists are unaware of it, but all of the restorations created by a “local dental lab” do not necessarily come from the local area. Many know that a significant portion of dental lab work is done in China by U.S.-based labs in today’s dental industry.
To overcome this challenge, BestoDental provides an immediate access route to high-quality and low-cost restorations for dental practices, which can potentially cut lab expenses by 30% to 50% without sacrificing quality. The laboratory reports the majority of cases within 7 working days and can be accelerated if requested. As digital intraoral scanning (STL, OBJ, PLY files) gradually becomes the mainstream technology and the global logistics system is highly developed, the shipment from Hongkong to the United States takes only 2 days.
The whole process of quality control practiced by BestoDental is strict, with each case being checked by experienced technicians before delivery. Fixed restorations have 5 years warranty; removable restorations have a 1-year warranty. BestoDental is trusted by more than 1,000 dentists and orthodontists around the world for providing reliable, high-quality restorations at competitive prices and consistent service.
Website: https://bestodental.com/pfm/
Year established: 2012
Location: Shenzhen, China
Products:
- Crowns and Bridges
- Implant Restorations
- Dentures (Full and Partial)
- Overdentures
- Veneers
- Orthodontic Appliances (Braces, Aligners, Retainers)
- Precision Attachments (Ball, ERA, Magnetic, Telescopic)
3. Common Types of Outsourced Dental Lab Work in Colorado
Two major forces are driving Colorado’s dental market: a young and still growing population and its high percentage of privately insured patients (62% private and 24% Medicaid). So the patients do have expectations, which are both aesthetics and durability. With this in mind, the most popular case types that Colorado dentists outsource are as follows.
1) Type 1: Implant-Supported Restorations (Crowns, Bridges, and Dentures)
As the population is younger and relatively wealthier, there are more patients opting for implants as their main tooth replacement, and they want them to look and perform exceptionally well.
It is advisable to check if a dental laboratory is aware of supporting the dental implant system employed before choosing a dental laboratory. To ensure the precision of the restoration and smooth delivery and seating, precise compatibility with the implant system is necessary.
BestoDental is compatible with most major implant systems such as Nobel Biocare, Straumann, Hiossen, Osstem, Zimmer Biomet, and others.
The following information is recommended when submitting your case to speed up the communication process and boost production efficiency:
- Implant system brand
- Model
- Connection type
- The size of the platform (if any)
The more detailed the information you include, the quicker the laboratory can confirm compatibility and start manufacturing, reducing back-and-forth communication and the overall turnaround time.
Questions to pose to your supplier:
- For example: my implants are made by Osstem. Have you got it right?
- If you can’t match my current implant system, does it have an alternative solution?
- What are your existing implant systems?
- What is the average time needed to make a single implant crown?
- Will you proactively communicate with me to confirm if any information is missing or technical problems occur during production?
If you’d like to learn more about outsourcing implant cases, we’ve created a dedicated guide: Dental Implant Restoration Outsourcing Guide: Price, Workflow & Lab Selection. It covers everything you need to know about the outsourcing process.
2）Type 2: Aesthetic Anterior Restorations (Veneers, Anterior Crowns, Smile Design)
Colorado patients have a specific aesthetic preference: they prefer more natural and understated results, rather than the “Hollywood” look. Every dentist in the affluent regions such as Boulder, Littleton, or Castle Rock regularly gets requests for smile makeovers. These procedures are paid for out-of-pocket, and patients don’t want artistry; rather, they want functionality.
This has implications for how you select your supplier:
- Do you have the ability to make highly esthetic restorations with natural translucency and surface texture?
- Are you a Digital Smile Design (DSD) provider and do you provide patients with a preview of what they can expect before treatment?
- Do you communicate and provide detailed shade and support, and offer customized staining and characterizing to restore a natural appearance?
Questions that you should ask your supplier:
- Do you have any before and after pictures of anterior cases, especially veneers?
- What is your process for shade matching when we can’t send the patient to you in person?
- Do you provide digital smile design mock-ups or previews?
3）Type 3: High-Volume Crown and Bridge (Posterior Zirconia and PFM)
The amount of routine, simple, restorative dental work done each year in Colorado is significant, with more than 1.6 million services rendered each year. Crowns and bridges, especially posterior ones, continue to be the staple of most general practices. Many patients can be covered for these procedures, as 62% of Coloradoans have private insurance.
This means that your supplier selection:
- The speed of turnaround is not as important as the consistency of your schedule—delivery needs to be predictable.
- The first-fit rate is directly related to patient satisfaction and chair time, the percentage of crowns seated without need for adjustment.
- Both conventional impressions and digital intraoral scans (STL files) should run smoothly in your lab.
Questions to ask your supplier:
- How many days does it take you on average to receive a single?
- What is your posterior crown first fit/remake rate?
- Are you willing to accept digital scans and what file formats?
If you’re interested in outsourcing zirconia crowns, we’ve created a dedicated guide: Zirconia Dental Lab Outsourcing Guide: Price, Workflow & Lab Selection. It covers everything you need to know about the outsourcing process, from pricing and workflow to choosing the right dental laboratory.
We list a Summary table for Matching Case Types to Supplier Capabilities:
| Case Type | Your Priority | Supplier Must Have |
|---|---|---|
| Implant-Supported Restorations | Precision & implant system compatibility | Multi-system experience, low remake rate (<4%), surgical guide capability |
| Aesthetic Anterior Restorations | Artistic quality & natural aesthetics | Experienced ceramist, DSD capability, custom shading process |
| High-Volume Crown & Bridge | Consistent turnaround & first-fit rate | Reliable delivery schedule, high first-fit rate, digital workflow compatibility |
4. Lab Sourcing Options: Which One Fits Your Practice?
Medicaid accounts for 24% of Colorado’s population while private insurance accounts for 62%. Additionally, because of Denver’s central location, ground access to Denver is provided to 95% of the United States within two days, and Denver International Airport has excellent air cargo connections.
Considering these factors, BestoDental has three dental outsourcing solutions to recommend. They all have their advantages and disadvantages, which means they can be used in various business situations.
1）Option 1: Local Colorado Lab – The On-the-Ground Partner
There are approximately 120 to 180 dental labs throughout Colorado, with the vast majority being small-scale labs of about 5 to 20 people. Truly large labs (with 50 or more employees) are not very numerous. Therefore, if you are considering outsourcing a large volume of cases, there are not many labs in Colorado that can handle that capacity. If a lab claims they can take on a high volume of cases each month, it is also possible that the work is completed by out‑of‑state or overseas labs, but they usually will not disclose that to you.
The labs in this state are priced in the upper‑middle range compared to the U.S. average. This is because, relative to the national average, Colorado’s labor and rental costs are relatively higher, and there is greater investment in digital equipment. Based on feedback from our clients, Colorado local labs typically charge about 10%–20% more than labs in the central U.S. states.
To give you a more intuitive understanding, we have listed below a table comparing Colorado’s basic product price ranges with the U.S. average.
| Products | Colorado Local Lab | US Average |
| Full Zirconia Crown | $95–140 | $85–130 |
| Layered Zirconia Crown | $140–190 | $130–180 |
| IPS e.max Crown | $120–180 | $110–170 |
| PFM Crown | $90–140 | $85–130 |
| Zirconia Bridge（per unit） | $95–150 | $90–140 |
| Implant Crown（not including Ti Base） | $180–280 | $170–260 |
| Night Guard | $110–180 | $100–170 |
| PMMA Temporary Crown | $35–60 | $30–55 |
However, the advantage of outsourcing to local labs is that if any issues arise, the case can be sent back for repair on the same day, and local labs have a better understanding of the aesthetic preferences of patients in Colorado.
2）Option 2: Out-of-State Lab – The Scalable Alternative
Since prices in Colorado are relatively higher, more U.S. local customers who seek better value for money will consider purchasing dental prosthetics from neighboring states. With the fast shipping of UPS Ground, transport from neighboring states to Colorado typically takes only one day, so the doctor’s experience is not much different from using in‑state labs.
Among Colorado’s neighboring states, the common neighboring destinations for dental prosthetics outsourcing include: Utah，Arizona，New Mexico，Kansas, and Nebraska. The prices in these states are, to varying degrees, lower than those of Colorado’s local labs.
Among these, Arizona is the most popular outsourcing destination for Colorado. It is home to many milling centers, implant labs, and full‑digital labs—essentially forming a cluster. There are also several labs with over 100 employees. Prices there are usually about 10% lower than in Denver. Moreover, many Arizona labs have dedicated sales representatives who travel regularly between Colorado and Arizona, so if any issues arise, they can respond more quickly and proactively.
Another main option is Utah. Overall, Utah is somewhat cheaper than Colorado, but not as cheap as many people might imagine. On average, it is about 5%–15% lower, with basic products typically costing $5–$15 less per unit. This is due to its high digital production efficiency and relatively lower operating costs. Many Utah labs no longer accept traditional impressions—they only take STL files. Labs in the other states are fewer in number, smaller in scale, and have limited service capacity, mainly focusing on local clinics. None of them can handle large volumes of outsourced cases.
To give you a more intuitive understanding, using zirconia crowns as an example, we have listed below a price comparison between Colorado local labs and neighboring states to help you make a decision:
| State | Zirconia Crown(USD) | Price Level |
| Colorado | 95–140 | High |
| Utah | 85–120 | Moderate |
| Arizona | 90–125 | Moderate |
| New Mexico | 85–120 | Low-to-moderate |
| Kansas | 80–115 | Low |
| Nebraska | 80–110 | Low |
If you’re considering outsourcing your cases to a dental lab in a nearby state, we’ve put together a collection of USA Dental Labs covering different U.S. states. Feel free to explore the ones that interest you and learn more.
3）Option 3: China Lab – The Cost-Efficiency Model
Another popular solution is to purchase from China. The reason is simple—it is just too affordable. Sourcing from China can reduce lab costs by 30–50%, and the quality is also very good. If you would like to know the pricing for outsourcing to a dental lab in China, please contact our customer service team to Get Price List.
We list a Quick Comparison Table below:
| Factor | Local Colorado Lab | Out-of-State US Lab | China Lab |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relative cost | Highest | Mid-range | Lowest (save 30%–50%) |
| Turnaround (standard case) | 2–5 days | 5–7 days | 5–7days |
| Shipping time | 0 days (local pickup) | 1–2 days | 1–2 days |
| In-person visits | Yes | No | No |
| Understanding of local patient esthetics | Best | Moderate | Varies by lab |
| Production capacity | Small–mid | Mid–large | Largest |
| Best case type | Complex anterior, full-mouth, implants | Routine crowns, bridges, standard implants | High-volume crowns, bridges, standard implants |
Since this article is specifically written for Colorado, we will not elaborate further on that here. If you’re considering outsourcing your dental cases, check out our Dental Lab Outsourcing Guide: Price, Workflow, and What to Expect. Inside, you’ll find everything you need to know about pricing, workflow, and what to expect when working with a dental laboratory.
5. Real-World Decision Scenarios: Which Sourcing Model Fits Your Colorado Practice?
Based on BestoDental’s over 10 years of service experience in the dental industry, what we have learned is that choosing a dental lab is not merely a matter of deciding between local, out‑of‑state, or overseas production. Different case types have different requirements, and no single lab is the best choice for all types of restorations. Most dental clinics in Colorado can be categorized into one of the following clinical practice models. Each model is best suited to a different outsourcing strategy.
| Case Requirement | Recommended Laboratory Type | Typical Cases |
| Intensive esthetic communication or chairside coordination | Local Colorado laboratory | Veneers, anterior crowns, complex implant esthetics |
| Standardized digital production and cost efficiency | China dental laboratory | Posterior zirconia crowns, bridges, routine implant restorations |
| Faster domestic delivery or additional production capacity | Out-of-state U.S. laboratory | Urgent routine cases |
| Same-day repair or emergency adjustment | Local Colorado laboratory | Repairs, relines, emergency remakes |
Turnaround time is also often misunderstood. For routine digital cases, the difference between local, out-of-state, and overseas laboratories may be smaller than expected.
| Process | Local Colorado Lab | Out-of-State U.S. Lab | China Dental Lab |
| Case review | 1–2 days | 1–2 days | 1–2 days |
| Production | 2–5 days | 2–5 days | 2–3 days |
| Shipping | 0–1 day | 1–2 days | 1–2 days |
| Estimated total turnaround | 3–8 days | 5–7 days | 5–7 days |
1) Scenario 1: General Restorative Practice
If you primarily provide routine restorative treatments such as zirconia crowns, bridges, implant crowns, and occasional removable prosthetics.
Key focus on:
- Consistent quality
- Predictable turnaround
- Reasonable laboratory costs
- Reliable communication
Routine posterior restorations are highly standardized and can often be outsourced without affecting clinical outcomes.
| Case Type | Recommended Laboratory |
| Posterior zirconia crowns | China Dental Lab |
| Posterior bridges | China Dental Lab |
| Standard implant crowns | China Dental Lab |
| Anterior esthetic crowns | Local Colorado Lab |
| Veneers | Local Colorado Lab |
| Emergency remakes | Local Colorado Lab |
Continue working with your trusted local laboratory for esthetic and urgent cases while gradually transferring routine posterior restorations to an experienced digital laboratory in China.
2) Scenario 2: Esthetic & Cosmetic Practice
If you focus on veneers, anterior crowns, smile makeovers, and complex esthetic rehabilitation. They are commonly found in areas such as Denver, Boulder, and Cherry Creek.
Key focus on:
- Shade communication
- Surface texture
- Morphology
- Chairside collaboration
- Minimal adjustments
| Case Type | Recommended Laboratory |
| Veneers | Local Colorado Lab |
| Smile design | Local Colorado Lab |
| Anterior implant restorations | Local Colorado Lab |
| Posterior zirconia crowns | China Dental Lab |
| Posterior bridges | China Dental Lab |
| Routine posterior implant crowns | China Dental Lab |
| Emergency adjustments | Local Colorado Lab |
3) Scenario 3: Implant-Focused Practice
If you perform a high volume of implant restorations, including single implants, full-arch restorations, and guided surgery.
Key focus on:
- Implant compatibility
- Precision
- Technical communication
- Long-term consistency
| Case Type | Recommended Laboratory |
| Standard posterior implant crowns | China Dental Lab |
| Implant bridges | China Dental Lab |
| Surgical guides | China Dental Lab |
| Complex anterior implant restorations | Local Colorado Lab |
| Immediate chairside modifications | Local Colorado Lab |
4) Scenario 4: High-Volume Group Practice or DSO
If you are a large multi-doctor practice or DSO. Their greatest challenge is maintaining consistency while controlling laboratory costs across multiple providers.
Key focus on:
- Production capacity
- Standardized quality
- Stable pricing
- Reliable delivery
| Case Type | Recommended Laboratory |
| Routine crowns | China Dental Lab |
| Bridges | China Dental Lab |
| Dentures | China Dental Lab |
| Overflow production | Out-of-State U.S. Lab |
| Emergency remakes | Local Colorado Lab |
| Complex esthetic cases | Local Colorado Lab |
Use China as the primary production center, maintain an out-of-state U.S. laboratory for additional capacity, and keep a local Colorado laboratory available for urgent cases and highly esthetic work.
5) Scenario 5: Community or Cost-Conscious Practice
If you commonly serve Medicaid patients, seniors, or rural communities, and case mix often includes dentures, partial dentures, routine crowns, and removable prosthetics.
Key focus on:
- Affordable laboratory costs
- Reliable fit
- Simple communication
- Dependable repair support
| Case Type | Recommended Laboratory |
| Complete dentures | China Dental Lab |
| Partial dentures | China Dental Lab |
| Routine crowns | China Dental Lab |
| Immediate repairs | Local Colorado Lab |
| Relines and rebases | Local Colorado Lab |
| Cases requiring faster domestic delivery | Out-of-State U.S. Lab |
- Local Colorado laboratories for esthetic, emergency, and chairside-sensitive cases.
- Out-of-state U.S. laboratories for additional domestic capacity and faster shipping.
- China dental laboratories for standardized digital restorations, routine production, and higher-volume outsourcing.
This hybrid approach allows practices to balance quality, turnaround time, production capacity, and laboratory costs without compromising patient care.
6. Colorado Dental Lab Outsourcing FAQs
With over 10 years of experience in the dental industry, BestoDental has answered many questions from dentists worldwide. Based on our experience, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about outsourcing dental cases.
Q1: Is there a Turnaround comparison between Colorado local labs and China labs?
Not by much. In most of the cases of a standard crown and bridge, the entire turnaround period from all 3 methods will be in the window of 5-7 Business days. Here’s why:
- Case assessment: 1-2 days required for every lab (local/out-of-state/China) to evaluate the prescription and scan/impression.
- Production: A small local lab that has limited staff can take longer than a scaled China lab that has dedicated production shifts.
- Shipping: Local = 0 days; out-of-state U.S. = 1–3 days (ground from the Midwest arrives in 1–2 days); China = 1–2 days (air freight).
For the regular cases, the total time gap between the local lab and the China lab is just 1-2 days.
Q2: Savings—what will my actual savings be due to outsourcing to a China lab?
The savings are appreciable. A side-by-side price comparison of the top four product categories is shown below:
| Product | Colorado Local Lab (per unit) | China Lab (per unit) | Typical Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complete Denture (per arch) | $400–$600 | $150–$350 | 40%–50% |
| Partial Denture | $350–$500 | $120–$280 | 40%–50% |
| Single Zirconia Crown | $120–$180 | $45–$80 | 40%–50% |
| Implant Crown (w/ abutment) | $400–$600 | $220–$350 | 30%–45% |
One mid-sized Colorado-based practice that is shipping 50 units to a China lab is able to save $30,000 to $50,000 a year on lab charges alone. These savings directly impact the bottom line since Colorado’s average dental overhead is approximately 69% of net receipts.
Q3: What are the dental lab work order-specific legal requirements in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado law mandates a written or electronic laboratory work order by the dentist for every case. Copies must be kept by both the dentist and lab for two years. The work order should contain the dentist’s name, dentist license number, dentist’s address, patient’s name or ID, treatment instructions, date of try-in/delivery, and the dentist’s personal signature.
Q4: How is it that physical impressions are shipped to a China lab, and how can I avoid delays?
Physical impressions cannot be sent as simply as digital scans. Here’s the step-by-step:
- Items to send: Only silicone-based impressions and bite registrations. Never send alginate – it weighs down the boat.
- Packaging: Fit into the smallest box that will protect the cases. Ensure that the dental model is securely packaged with protective foam cushioning for safe transport during packaging. BestoDental will send you a packing reference video before shipment to help ensure that your case is packaged properly.
- Documents Required: You should have a shipping label (required) and 3 x Commercial Invoices (required) attached to the outside of the box.
- Best shipping days: Ship on Tuesdays or Fridays. Ship on Tuesday → receive on the second Thursday. Friday shipped – second Monday received.
- No pickup charges: If you call for a pickup, UPS will charge you a $6 pickup charge. Give it to any UPS or DHL driver, including if he or she delivers to you, and there is no charge. You may also leave it at a shipping shop or official outlet.
- Tracking: The lab will send you an e-mail once your shipment arrives.
Q5: My practice uses intraoral scanners — how do I know if a lab can handle my digital workflow?
Not every lab is the same when it comes to going digital. Before investing, ask the following three questions:
- What types of documents can you read? STL is the universal standard in digital dentistry and is accepted by most labs.
- Are you open to a direct scan submission portal? There are some labs that will let you upload your scans directly to their portal. For instance, BestoDental supports digital case submissions from leading intraoral scanning systems, such as 3Shape, 3Dshining, and others.
- What is your design approval process? The best digital lab will provide design proof for your approval before milling within 24–48 hours. Verify the number of design iterations and turnaround.
Send one digital case as a trial before you buy in bulk. Assess the ease of the file transfer, the response to the design proof, and the completion of the final restoration.
Q6: How to communicate with a China lab, and what to do if I need a fast response when my time zone and theirs differ?
It’s good to know the business hours and communication schedule at a Chinese dental laboratory prior to working with them. Please use both email and WhatsApp for efficient communication. Your digital scan files and prescription can be submitted at the end of your day’s work, and the laboratory will have them at the start of their working day. So when you get to work in the office the next morning, you will likely find that by then the design proposal or case update has been placed before you for review.
In case of time-sensitive cases, mark it as “Urgent” to get priority. For cases that need to be expedited, please indicate your time zone and required delivery date when submitting the case. This will enable the lab to focus production and schedule the process to your desired delivery time.
7. Conclusion
In Colorado, there are various dental labs offering accuracy, digital technology, and beauty. These labs are among the most experienced and reputable around the region, and they cater to practices throughout the state. The sourcing possibilities that have been discussed, namely locally, out-of-state U.S., and China, are all flexible to meet the varying practice requirements, and cost savings of up to 50% are possible through international partnerships. A strategic three-tier approach (primary China lab, secondary U.S. lab, backup local lab) is a well-balanced cost, quality, and reliability strategy. With the increasingly popular demand for advanced restorations, Colorado dentists have the opportunity to rise to the occasion and flourish.
