The True Cost of Outsourcing: Why Local Dental Lab Work Pays Off
On paper, offshore dental labs might look like a cost-cutting solution. But when you dig deeper, the short-term savings often come with long-term consequences—missed deadlines, remakes, and frustrated patients who expect better.
At Electric Arts Dental Lab in Austin, TX, we’ve made a deliberate choice to keep all of our work right here in the United States. Every crown, bridge, and implant-supported restoration is crafted by skilled technicians using high-quality materials and modern technology—all under one roof. Before you consider outsourcing, let’s take a closer look at what that decision could really cost your practice.
The Hidden Downsides of Offshore Labs
Delayed Case Turnarounds
International shipping adds days (and in some cases, weeks) to your delivery window. That means longer treatment times, last-minute schedule changes, and unnecessary return visits for patients who expect their care to be efficient.
Unpredictable Results
When restorations are mass-produced in overseas facilities, quality often suffers. Whether it’s poor fit, inferior materials, or a lack of attention to detail, you end up spending more time chairside correcting mistakes—and less time focused on care.
Communication Barriers
Need to make a last-minute change or clarify a margin? With offshore labs, there’s no direct line to the technician. Miscommunication is common, and responsiveness is often limited due to time zone differences or language gaps.
Lack of Oversight and Accountability
When something goes wrong, it’s hard to get answers—let alone a resolution. Replacing lost cases or dealing with faulty restorations can be a slow, frustrating process when there’s no local contact or accountability.
Why Staying Local Makes a Difference
At Electric Arts, we believe your lab partner should feel like an extension of your practice—not a liability. Here’s what sets us apart:
Fast, Predictable Turnaround: Most digital cases are completed in five business days, traditional in seven—and we offer same-day services for select cases.
Direct Communication: Speak with our experienced team anytime. No middlemen, no guesswork, just real support when you need it.
Exceptional Quality: We use trusted U.S.-based materials and advanced technology to ensure every case is delivered with precision and consistency.
Local Relationships, National Standards: While we’re proud to serve Austin-area dental offices, our standards rival the best labs in the country. We also serve the state of Texas and beyond, nationwide in the United States. And because we’re local and may be 1-2 hours of a time difference coast to coast, we’re more agile and responsive to your needs.
Supporting Your Practice—and Your Reputation
Your restorations are a reflection of your work. Choosing a local lab like Electric Arts means you never have to compromise on quality, reliability, or service. We’re here to help you provide exceptional outcomes, keep patients happy, and run a more efficient practice.
From complex implant cases to everyday crowns, we’re ready to deliver restorations you can trust—on time and with care. Schedule a pickup or request a call today!
Work with a dental lab that prioritizes quality, reliability, and patient satisfaction.
Contact us at (512) 615-3544 to learn how we can support your practice!
Our team takes pride in our commitment to quality and precision and offers a wide range of dental lab services to meet your needs. We use only the finest materials and techniques to create a wide range of high-quality in house dental restorations including crowns, bridges, veneers, and implant abutments, as well as orthodontic appliances such as essix retainers and nightguards.
We offer same-day services, consisting of repairs and relines, replacing denture teeth, adding teeth or clasps to acrylic partials, Essix retainers, and whitening/fluoride trays. Our normal turnaround times are 5 days for digital cases and 7 days for traditional cases. All products manufactured in the US.