This shift to automation in dental labs is inevitable, says Ashley Byrne. But does it threaten the future of dental technicians, or is it an opportunity we should embrace?
As the dental technology landscape evolves at breakneck speed, one question I have noticed starting to appear is, ‘is full automation in the dental lab a dream we should chase – or a threat to what we’ve spent years building?’
Having seen the enormous leaps in automation on display at LMT Lab Day in Chicago and IDS in Cologne this year, it’s clear: this shift isn’t a possibility anymore – it’s an inevitability. From robotic arms loading printers to AI design tools spitting out casework in seconds, the future of dental lab production is being redefined before our eyes, whether we like it or not.
However, as with any revolution, there are growing pains. For dental lab owners navigating this new world, the key is finding the balance between embracing innovation and preserving the artistry, intuition and human connection that define the modern dental lab.
Automation: the case for the dream
Let’s start with the undeniable advantages of automation. Modern dental labs are under increasing pressure: faster turnaround times, higher expectations from clinicians, and a global decline in skilled dental technicians.
Recruitment pipelines are non-existent and drastically worse post-Brexit, training is often slow, and retirements are accelerating. In this context, automation might not just be an opportunity – it could be our only lifeline.
By removing the repetitive, time-consuming tasks from a technician’s daily workload – model prep, basic design, nesting, production – labs can redeploy their talented team into less mundane roles.
Skilled technicians can focus on the artistry of anterior restorations, the nuance of complex implant cases, and the relationship-led communication that builds lasting trust with clinicians. AI-driven CAD tools can design crowns, bridges and implant frameworks with remarkable speed and consistency.
Automated nesting, milling and printing workflows reduce human error and allow production to continue overnight – an unthinkable feat in the traditional model.
But what do we lose?
Yet, for all the promise, full automation also stirs discomfort. Is the role of the dental technician slowly being replaced? Will artisanal craftsmanship, honed over decades, be reduced to a checkbox in software?
Here’s my take on it: while automation can replicate structure, it struggles with what a technician truly does and delivers. Aesthetic work—especially anterior restorations—requires an eye for detail, colour, texture, and harmony with the patient’s personality. These are qualities born from experience, not algorithms. Then there’s the intangible element of trust. Dentists often build long-term relationships with lab technicians who “just get it” – who understand their preferences and adapt with them over time. Can a machine replicate that kind of relationship? Not yet. Labs that go all-in for automation without a thoughtful integration plan, risk diluting their unique value proposition. The risk isn’t just producing lower-quality work—it’s becoming indistinguishable in a crowded market and if we let this happen, everyone’s teeth with look the same and all treatments will be dealt with in the same way. None of that is in the patients interest in anyway.
AI design tools: assistant, not replacement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is perhaps the most disruptive force in dental tech right now. Systems recently launched, like exocad’s and 3Shapes AI-assisted design modules or automated smile design software, are increasingly sophisticated. They learn from vast datasets to predict ideal tooth shapes, contours, and occlusion patterns. But here’s the nuance: AI should be seen as an assistant, not a replacement. Like a co-pilot, it can help less experienced technicians’ complete complex designs more confidently and enable senior techs to speed up their workflow without compromising on quality. Forward-thinking labs are using AI to advance skill—not diminish it. Instead of replacing technicians, they’re up skilling them to become digital overseers, responsible for supervising, tweaking, and approving AI-generated work. This preserves quality while increasing capacity—a powerful combination which so few in our industry are getting close to mastering.
Striking the balance
So, how do lab owners navigate this digital transformation without losing our soul?For me, the answer lies in a hybrid solution—a blend of tech-enabled efficiency and human expertise. Automation should handle the repetitive, rule-based tasks: model preparation, rough design, nesting, milling. Your technicians should focus on high-value areas: shade matching, aesthetic layering, case planning, client communication.In fact, this may be the only viable way forward. As our industry faces a dwindling workforce, we must prioritise our remaining talent for the jobs only humans can do—those that require emotional intelligence, creativity, and relationship-building. By removing the mundane, we protect the meaningful.
Future-proofing through mindset, not just machinery
Finally, automation is not just about buying the right kit—it’s about cultivating the right culture.Investing in digital tools is easy. But creating a team that is open to change, hungry to learn, and adaptable in the face of new tech—that’s the real differentiator. Regular CPD, collaborative decision-making, and clear communication about “why” you’re implementing automation, are key to bringing your team along with you on the journey. The labs that view automation as a collaborative force, not a threat, will shape the future of the industry—not be shaped by it.
Conclusion
Full automation in the dental lab is neither an inevitable dream nor an existential threat. It’s a powerful tool—one that, when used wisely, can elevate your lab’s capabilities and free your team to focus on what they do best.
But the heart of dental technology has always been human. Machines may be able to copy structure, but they can’t yet replicate the judgement, finesse, and emotional intelligence of a skilled technician.
So rather than ask, “Will automation replace us?” perhaps the better question is: “How can we use it to become even better?”
