Prosthetic Prescription Form — Documentation That Makes a Difference

A prosthetic prescription form ensures clear communication between the clinic and the laboratory. An unclear prescription = the lab guessing → errors → an unhappy patient. Statistically, about 60% of prosthetic work redo’s result not from lab error, but from communication failure.

Why the prescription form is crucial

The technician does not see the patient. They are unaware of the patient's aesthetic expectations, the discussions with the doctor, and lack clinical context beyond what is provided in writing and materials.

Without a complete prescription form, the technician must:

• Call and inquire — delaying turnaround by 1–2 days
• Guess the doctor’s intentions — risking incorrect assumptions
• Work with incomplete data — resulting in rework

The prescription form is not bureaucracy. It is the only document that formally specifies what the laboratory is to produce and the parameters of the expected outcome.

Mandatory elements of the prescription form

Identification data:

• Patient’s first and last name
• Tooth number or designation (FDI notation)
• Prescription date and expected completion date
• Clinic data (stamp/doctor's identifier)

Work specification:

• Type of work: crown, bridge, inlay/onlay, veneer, splint
• Material: monolithic zirconia, e.max, PFM, PMMA
• Cementation type: adhesive vs. conventional (influences margin design)
• Shade: shade guide number (Vita Classical, Vita 3D-Master, or custom shade with photo)

Occlusal information:

• Type of bite registration: CR, MIP, wax bite
• Is DVO (dimension of vertical occlusion) being altered?
• Articulator: yes/no, specific type
• Occlusal notes: canine guidance, contacts to avoid

Aesthetic information:

• Reference photos (shade, shape, translucency)
• Patient preferences: natural appearance vs. uniform shade
• Characterization: should effects be added (speckles, discolorations, incisal translucency)?
• Anterior segment: smile line, symmetry, proportions

Common errors in prescription forms

"Crown on 16, shade A2" — this is insufficient. Missing: material, cementation type, occlusal context, shade photos.

Lack of antagonist information — the technician doesn't know if the opposing tooth is natural, a crown, or an implant. This affects occlusal design.

Shade noted from memory — a shade chosen two weeks ago "from memory" rarely matches reality. A photo with a shade tab next to the tooth is a minimum.

Lack of adjacent tooth information — are they natural, restored, or crowned? This influences the contact point and emergence profile.

Digital prescription form at deltalabs.

At deltalabs., the prescription form is integrated with a digital workflow:

• Online form with mandatory fields — ensures key information isn't omitted
• Upload photos and scans directly to the prescription
• Prescription history for each patient — the technician sees previous work and adjustments
• Automatic notifications for missing data — instead of phone calls

The digital prescription form shortens turnaround time, eliminates misunderstandings, and builds a clinical data archive for each case.

How to properly fill out the form — checklist

1. Teeth noted in FDI notation (e.g., 16, 26, not "upper six")
2. Material and work type clearly specified
3. Shade with shade guide + photo next to the adjacent tooth
4. Antagonist information (natural/crown/implant)
5. Bite registration — type and date taken
6. Special notes: bruxism, aesthetic expectations, material allergies
7. Completion date

1. Can I place an order by phone without a form?

Not recommended. Verbal orders lack documentation and are a source of misunderstanding. At deltalabs., every order requires a written form — digital or paper.

2. What if I don't know the exact shade?

Send a photo with a Vita shade tab next to the prepared tooth, in natural light. The technician will select the shade based on the photo. Much better than "A2 from memory."

3. Does the laboratory contact me if the form is incomplete?

At deltalabs. — yes. We do not begin work on incomplete orders. We contact you within 24 hours of receiving an order if key information is missing.