Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions doctors ask us most. Don't see yours? Call (619) 420-0323 or email info@omnitekdental.com, Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM. Omnitek Dental Ceramics is a family-owned lab at 3330 Third Avenue, Suite 205, San Diego, serving practices since 1977.

Getting started & billing

How do I start sending cases to Omnitek?

Call (619) 420-0323 or email info@omnitekdental.com and we'll set up your account. Scanning digitally? Add Omnitek Dental Ceramics as a lab in your scanner software and you can send your first case today.

Where can I see your prices?

Request our current fee schedule by phone or email. Our prices are competitive for a US lab that makes every case in-house.

How does billing work?

All accounts are COD unless credit terms have been extended to you.

Statements are sent monthly and payment is due within 15 days of the statement date. We accept checks, credit cards and ACH. Credit card payments are subject to a 3.5% fee.

Turnaround & next-day crowns

What is your standard turnaround time?

Most crown cases are completed in 10 working days from the day we receive the case. Implant cases typically take 10 working days. If you need a case sooner, put the due date on your prescription and call us. We'll tell you right away if we can get it done for you!

Do you really offer next-day crowns?

Yes. We scan and mill zirconia in-house in San Diego, so qualifying cases can be returned the next business day. Cases generally qualify when they are single-unit zirconia crowns from a clean digital scan received by 10 AM. Call (619) 420-0323 to confirm before you send.

What are your hours?

Monday through Friday, 7 AM to 5 PM.

Do you pick up and deliver cases?

Yes, we offer pickup and delivery for practices in the San Diego area. Call or email to schedule a pickup. Practices outside our area can send cases with a FedEx label, provided by Omnitek. Digital cases need no pickup at all.

Do turnaround times include weekends, holidays or shipping?

No. Turnaround is counted in working days, Monday through Friday, starting the day we receive the case. Weekends, holidays and shipping time are not included.

Are you open on holidays?

We're closed on major U.S. holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, Christmas. If you have a case due around a holiday, call us ahead of time and we'll hold a slot for it.

Can you rush a case?

Often, yes. Call us before you send the case so we can confirm the date.

How far out should we schedule the seat appointment?

For a standard crown, schedule the patient 10 working days after we receive the case, plus shipping time if you're outside our pickup area. For implant and multi-unit cases, allow 10 working days, or call us and we'll give you a date.

Please do not schedule the patient on the requested due date provided to us.

How long do adjustments take, like adding a contact?

Small adjustments usually take 3-5 working days. If an implant case needs a contact added, please allow 7 working days. Please contact us to confirm turnaround times. Case modifications are treated as a priority.

What happens if a case is late?

We deliver on time on the due date provided to us by your office. If a case is going to miss its due date, we'll call you as early as possible so you can reschedule.

Digital scans & case submission

Which intraoral scanners do you accept?
  • iTero (Align Technology)
  • Primescan and Omnicam, through DS Core (Dentsply Sirona)
  • 3Shape TRIOS
  • Medit, through Medit Link
  • Shining 3D Aoralscan

Using Carestream or another scanner? Call us and we'll confirm we can receive your files.

How do I send you a digital case?
  1. In your scanner software, open its lab or partner connections.
  2. Search for Omnitek Dental Ceramics and add us as your lab.
  3. Send the scan with your prescription notes, shade and due date.

There are no impressions to ship and no models to pour. If you need help connecting, call (619) 420-0323.

Can I still send traditional impressions?

Yes. Send impressions with a completed Rx form by pickup or shipping. We scan every case in-house, so analog and digital cases get the same quality checks.

What should I include with a case?

The tooth number(s), material, shade, any special instructions and your due date. For implant cases, also include the implant system, platform size and scan body used.

Do you charge for models on digital cases?

No, our prices are all inclusive. There is no additional charge for a 3D printed model to accompany a digital case. There is no additional charge for a soft-tissue model.

Do you check impressions and scans before starting?

Yes. If we see a distorted impression, an unclear margin or a bite problem, we call you before we start. You can retake it or tell us to proceed. Catching it early saves you a remake and a second appointment.

How should I pack and disinfect a case?
  1. Disinfect impressions, bites and any models following your office's infection-control protocol.
  2. Wrap impressions and models in foam or bubble wrap.
  3. Include the completed Rx, opposing model or impression, bite registration and any photos.
  4. Seal the box and/or bag and schedule a pickup or attach a shipping label.

Warranty & remakes

What does your warranty cover?

Our in-house milled zirconia crowns carry a 7-year guarantee. Zirconia and e.max restorations are warrantied against defects in quality.

How often do you remake cases?

Rarely. Our remake rate is under 0.05%. Every case is worked under magnification and comes with a second model to verify contacts before it leaves the lab.

What's your remake policy?

With strict oversight and technicians that have been with us for decades, our cases are usually a success and your lab slip is strictly followed. If something isn't right, call us first. We'll review the case with you and make it right.

Do you send any work overseas?

Never. Every case is designed, milled and finished in our San Diego lab, and nothing is outsourced.

How long do I have to request a remake, and what do I send back?

Contact us within 30 days of delivery. Send back the original restoration, models and dies, along with a new impression or scan if the prep changed.

What isn't covered by the warranty?

The warranty covers defects in our materials and workmanship. It doesn't cover:

  • Breakage from an accident or misuse
  • Insufficient tooth reduction
  • Teeth that were re-prepped or modified after we made the restoration
  • Improper bonding or cementation
  • Material choices that don't suit the case, when made against our recommendation
  • Cases where we flagged an impression or margin and were asked to proceed
Are custom abutments refundable?

Custom abutments are made for one patient and can't be returned. If one needs changes, we'll modify it whenever possible instead of making a new one.

Do you use genuine materials and implant parts?

Yes. We pride ourselves in using top-quality materials from Argen, Straumann, Ivoclar, Katana, GC America, AmberPress and genuine OEM components from the implant manufacturer.

Implants, materials & shade matching

What restorations do you make?

Zirconia crowns and bridges, e.max crowns, veneers, inlays and onlays, full-cast gold crowns, and implant crowns on custom abutments.

Which implant systems do you support?

We restore on OEM custom abutments from the original implant manufacturer, and third-party abutments are also available. Supported systems include Nobel Biocare, Straumann, Zimmer Biomet, BioHorizons, Dentsply Sirona. Not sure about yours? Call us before you scan.

Why OEM custom abutments?

Each abutment is designed for the patient's anatomy for better emergence profile, soft-tissue support and fit. Using the manufacturer's own components also protects compatibility and the implant warranty. We mill and finish abutments and crowns in our San Diego lab.

Zirconia or e.max: which should I choose?

Zirconia is the stronger choice for posterior crowns, bridges and bruxers, and it carries our 7-year guarantee. e.max (lithium disilicate) offers higher translucency, so it's often preferred for anterior crowns and veneers. Both are available for implant crowns. Call us if you'd like a recommendation on a specific case.

Do you offer shade matching?

Yes. You can send the patient to our lab for in-house shade matching, or we can come to your office with mobile shade matching.

How do I book a custom shade consultation?

Book online or call (619) 420-0323.

Can you help plan a case before I prep?

Yes. Call us to talk through material choice, prep design or an implant restoration before treatment. We offer digital design previews and diagnostic wax-ups.

Do you make PFMs, dentures or nightguards?

We focus on fixed and implant restorations and mostly metal-free restorations. Therefore, we do not offer dentures or nightguards.

As of March 1, 2026, we no longer offer PFM restorations. There are many excellent, precise, strong and cost effective materials we use on a daily basis.

Working with Omnitek

How quickly do you respond to calls and emails?

We answer calls during business hours and reply to emails within 24 hours on business days.

Do you speak Spanish?

Our team can help you in Spanish by phone or email.

Can I talk to the technician on my case, or visit the lab?

Yes, to both. As a family-owned lab, we give you direct access to the people making your restorations. You're welcome to tour our Hillcrest lab. Just call ahead.

Ready to send a case?

Omnitek Dental Ceramics · 3330 Third Avenue, Suite 205, San Diego, CA 92103