Sending your first case to a new dental lab can feel uncertain. This guide walks through every step — preparing the case, choosing analog or digital submission, and receiving the finished restoration — so your first Rivfor case goes smoothly from start to seat.
Sending Your First Case Shouldn't Be Complicated
Whether you've never worked with an outside dental lab before or you're switching from your current provider, the process of sending a first case comes with a natural set of questions. What information does the lab need? How do you get the case to us? What happens after you send it?
This guide walks through the entire process at Rivfor Dental Lab — from preparing the case at your practice to receiving the finished restoration at your door. Our goal is to make your first case as straightforward as possible so you can focus on your patient, not the paperwork.
If you haven't claimed it yet — new clients in Miami-Dade and Broward County receive their first case at no charge, up to 2 units. No commitment required.
Step 1: Choose Your Restoration Type
Before preparing anything, confirm what you're sending. Rivfor fabricates the following zirconia restorations:
- Zirconia crowns — single units, anterior and posterior
- Zirconia bridges — 3 units up to full arch
- Zirconia implant crowns — screw-retained and cement-retained
- Zirconia veneers — 6 to 10 units
- Zirconia inlays and onlays — conservative posterior restorations
Each restoration type has slightly different prep and impression requirements. If you're unsure which applies to your case, call us at (786) 409-7696 and we'll walk you through it.
Step 2: Prepare the Case at Your Practice
Regardless of whether you're sending analog or digital, there's a core set of information every case needs:
- Tooth number(s)
- Restoration type (crown, bridge, implant crown, veneer, inlay/onlay)
- Material grade — HT, HT Multilayer, or Super Translucent Multilayer (not sure which to choose? See our guide: How to Choose the Right Zirconia Material for Each Case)
- Shade — VITA Classical shade (A1–D4), Bleach shade, or photo reference
- Occlusion notes — any bite concerns, bruxism, or opposing arch details worth flagging
- Patient name or case ID — for tracking purposes
Include this on your case prescription form — print or save the Rivfor form before sending.
Step 3: Choose Your Submission Method
We accept three submission methods so you can use whichever fits your workflow best — a traditional analog impression, a digital intraoral scan, or in-person pickup if your practice is in our service area. Each option is detailed in the sections that follow.
Option A — Analog Impression
If your practice takes traditional PVS or polyether impressions, this is the most familiar route. Here's what to include in your case package:
- Upper and lower impressions (full arch preferred)
- Bite registration
- Opposing model or impression
- Shade tab photo (natural light, if possible)
- Completed case prescription form
Pack the impressions securely to avoid distortion in transit. Label the package clearly with your practice name and contact number.
Option B — Digital Scan (Intraoral Scanner)
We accept STL and DCM files from all major intraoral scanners including CEREC, 3Shape TRIOS, iTero, Medit, Carestream, Planmeca, and 3M True Definition. If your scanner exports to a different format, contact us before sending — we work with most systems used by practices across South Florida.
To send a digital case:
- Export the scan files from your scanner software
- Email them to yourlab@rivfordental.com with your case prescription details in the body of the email
- You'll receive a confirmation from our team within a few hours
Digital submissions are the fastest way to get your case into our CAD/CAM workflow and are especially useful for practices in Broward County or areas outside our standard pickup zone.
Option C — Free Pickup in Miami-Dade and Broward
If you'd prefer to hand off the case in person, we offer complimentary pickup and delivery for practices in Miami-Dade and Broward County. Here's how it works:
- Call us at (786) 409-7696 or email yourlab@rivfordental.com to schedule a pickup
- Have your case packaged and labeled with the prescription form attached
- Our courier will pick up from your practice at the scheduled time
- The finished restoration is delivered back to your practice — no trips to the lab required
Pickup is available Monday through Friday, 9am–5pm. For same-day pickup requests, call us before noon.
Step 4: What Happens at the Lab
Once your case arrives at our Hialeah facility, here's what happens:
- Case intake — we log the case, verify all prescription details, and confirm the material and shade
- CAD design — our technicians design the restoration digitally using your scan or a scan of your analog impression
- CAM milling — the restoration is milled from the specified zirconia blank
- Staining and glazing — shade matching, characterization, and final glaze firing
- Quality check — margins, occlusion, and shade verified before dispatch
- Delivery — returned to your practice within 48 hours of case receipt
Turnaround begins upon receipt of a complete case. Incomplete prescriptions or missing shade information may delay fabrication — we'll contact you immediately if anything is missing.
Step 5: Receiving and Seating the Restoration
When the case arrives, you'll receive the finished zirconia restoration packaged individually with your original prescription. Before seating, verify:
- Correct tooth number and shade against your prescription
- Margin integrity and contact points
- Occlusal clearance before cementation
If anything doesn't meet your expectations — margins, fit, shade — contact us immediately. We stand behind every restoration we fabricate and will remake any case that doesn't meet the standard.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does my first case take?
Our standard turnaround is 48 hours from receipt of a complete case. For digital submissions, the clock starts when we receive your scan files. For analog cases sent via pickup, it starts when our courier collects from your practice.
Do I need to create an account to send a case?
No. Your first case can be sent with just a phone call or email. If you become a regular client, we'll set up an account for streamlined case tracking and prescription management.
What if I make a mistake on the prescription?
Call us as soon as possible at (786) 409-7696. If the case hasn't entered the milling stage, we can update the prescription at no charge. We always recommend double-checking shade and tooth number before submitting.
Can I send cases from multiple dentists at the same practice?
Yes — just include each dentist's name or initials on their respective prescriptions so we can track cases accurately when multiple arrive together.
Is the free first case available for digital submissions?
Yes. The free first case offer applies regardless of submission method — analog, digital scan, or pickup. New clients only, up to 2 units. See full terms.
Ready to Send Your First Case?
Getting started with Rivfor is straightforward — a phone call or email is all it takes. Our team in Hialeah is available Monday through Friday, 9am–5pm, to answer any questions before you send your first case.
Call us at (786) 409-7696, email yourlab@rivfordental.com, or visit us at 3750 W 16th Ave, Suite 242-U, Hialeah, FL 33012.
We serve dental practices across Miami-Dade and Broward County with 48-hour turnaround and free pickup and delivery. Claim your free first case today.
About the Author
Rivfor Dental Lab
Rivfor Dental Lab specializes in premium zirconia dental restorations with CAD/CAM custom milling. Based in Hialeah, FL, we serve dental practices across Miami-Dade County and South Florida with 48-hour turnaround and free local delivery.
Get in touch →Ready to work with Rivfor Dental Lab?
Send us your case or get in touch to learn more about our zirconia restoration services.