The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide to Dental Milling Machines

One growing trend we’re heading to in dentistry is in-house dental milling. With more and more equipment options made more affordable by a competitive market, the idea of doing your own milling in-house may not be that far from reality. 

With the right machine, you can streamline workflows, increase precision, and improve patient outcomes - and, ultimately, keep more business in-house without sacrificing quality and maintaining control over the entire process. But how do you choose the right equipment for your needs?

If you’re thinking about making the investment for your practice or dental lab, we wrote this article to help you navigate your options. Let’s dive in!

Wet Milling vs. Dry Milling: Which is Right for You?

The very first “fork in the road” to consider when evaluating your options in dental milling is whether you’ll need a wet or dry mill. It’s one of the first things we’ll talk to you about when you reach one of our dedicated Milling sales reps.

Like shopping for dental imaging, ie. CBCT or panoramic, your sales rep will need to understand how the equipment will be used (both now and in the future).

Knowing this, we’ll be able to guide you through your best options - which may include a mix of both. But first, we’ll define these two distinctions and how they’re applied in clinical use.

Wet Milling: Precision and Versatility

Wet milling machines use a liquid coolant to reduce friction and heat during the milling process. This results in highly precise and smooth surface finishes, making them ideal for producing esthetic restorations like crowns, veneers, and bridges. The coolant also helps in milling materials like ceramic blocks, which require a cooler environment to prevent heat damage.

Ceramic blocks are known for their superior esthetics, offering translucency and color matching that mimic natural teeth. Choose a wet milling machine if you’re working primarily on individual restorations or bridges where detail and surface quality are essential.

Dry Milling: Speed and Efficiency

On the other hand, dry milling machines operate without liquid coolants, making them faster and more efficient for materials like zirconia and polymers. 

Zirconia is celebrated for its strength and durability, making it an excellent choice for full arch or full mouth restorations. Zirconia pucks or discs are typically used to dry mill a complete arch or several arches into a single puck.

Buyer Beware: Why You Shouldn’t Mix Methods

Before we continue on with our Buyers Guide, we wanted to take a quick moment to pause and caution you on a common dental milling pitfall.. Mixing methods. 

In an effort to save money upfront, you may be tempted to purchase a single mill and operate it to accomplish both wet and dry milling. After all, without the water source a wet mill can function as a dry mill can’t it?. 

Ultimately, this may end up costing you way more in remakes or even damage and repairs to your equipment over time.  Without diligent care and maintenance, this can lead to several long-term issues, primarily:

1. Wet Milling Malfunctions: Wet milling machines are designed to handle the lubrication and cooling provided by liquids. Running them dry can cause excessive wear and tear on the milling tools and the machine itself, leading to costly repairs and reduced lifespan.
2. Dry Milling Malfunctions: Most Dry milling machines are not even equipped to handle liquids at all. Introducing coolant into a dry milling machine that is not designed for it can cause electrical malfunctions, corrosion, and severe damage to the machine's components.
3. Material Contamination When Switching: Residual coolant additives, which are very difficult to clean, from previous wet milling operations can contaminate materials intended for dry milling. This contamination can compromise the final shading or even the quality and strength of the restorations.
4. Material Issues: Dry milling creates particles from residue that is nearly impossible to remove in transitioning from dry to wet milling. The build-up of these particles will over time cause damage to your machine and affect its performance until the point it requires costly repairs.
5. Inconsistent Results: All in all, even in machines that allow for both types of milling, maintenance and constant cleaning become critical to ensuring the longevity of the equipment and consistent quality of the restorations produced.

Additional Considerations for Purchasing a Dental Milling Machine

Now that you have a better understanding of which milling method may be right for your needs, let’s jump into some additional considerations you’ll need to think about when researching milling machines.

Budget

As you’re thinking about making the investment in an in-house milling machine, you’re probably already thinking about cost.

Dental milling is an entire workflow. It involves everything from scanning to design to finishing. 

When you establish your budget, consider not just the initial cost but also ongoing maintenance and material expenses. Don’t forget to factor in the costs for additional requirements in order to run your dental milling workflow, including intraoral scanners, CAD and CAM software, as well as training and support.

For more on this topic, and to get a better understanding of cost - continue reading: How Much Does a Dental Milling Machine Cost? 

Machine Capabilities

Now that you know the type of machine you may need, you’ll then need to compare the different brands and models available. While cost may be a factor, you’ll also want to consider evaluating performance and usability factors such as: precision, speed, and capacity of the milling machine. 

Importantly, you want to look at the build quality of the machine. The machines need to be built very sturdy. Milling machines are used day in and day out, and there's parts that wear. So, maintenance is always a very important question.

Ease of use and integration with your existing digital workflow are also important considerations. A user-friendly machine can save time and reduce the learning curve for your team.

Support and Training

As mentioned earlier, dental milling is an entire workflow. So, you need to make sure that you're prepared to do every part of that process and you have a partner that's going to help you through it.

Opt for a machine that offers robust customer support and comprehensive training programs. This ensures that you can get the most out of your investment and quickly resolve any issues that arise.

Space and Installation

Finally, consider the space requirements for the milling machine and any additional equipment. Plan for proper installation and setup to ensure optimal performance and workflow efficiency.

Review electrical and plumbing requirements (for wet mills) as well as compressed air and other lines that may need to be installed in your workspace. 

Some manufacturers, like vhf, are unique in that they only require a power source and water supply, without the need for compressed or pressurized air. 

Popular Brands to Consider

Several reputable brands offer high-quality dental milling machines, each with its strengths:

• VHF: Known for versatile and high-quality milling machines suitable for both wet and dry milling. Quality German engineering makes their new E-series line of dental mills “E-asy” to use, while being durable and easy to maintain.
• Roland: Offers reliable and efficient milling machines with a strong reputation in the dental industry.
• Sirona: CEREC systems provide advanced milling solutions with integrated CAD/CAM systems. Sirona CEREC mills are typically on the higher end price-wise.
• Amann Girrbach: Renowned for precision and high-end milling technology.

Choosing the right dental milling machine involves a thorough understanding of your practice’s needs, the types of restorations you produce, and your budget. 

Whether you opt for a wet or dry milling machine, the key is to invest in a system that enhances your workflow and improves patient outcomes. With careful planning and consideration, your new dental milling machine can become a cornerstone of your practice’s success.

READY TO GET STARTED? REACH OUT!

We have a team of dental technology experts ready to help you find the right equipment for your practice, including our resident expert -  Milling Sales Director, Joe Andrasko.

We’ve worked with thousands of dentists across the US. We know what it takes to get up and running quickly, especially with new technology. 

That’s why we back all of our products with a comprehensive warranty, 24/7 product support, installation, and perhaps, most importantly, online and on-site training to help get you and your staff started with your new technology as quickly as possible.

Ready to begin? Give us a call at (281) 789-7270 or fill out an online inquiry form here. We look forward to earning your business.