Dental Laboratory Cabinets and Casework
Technician benches, model room sinks, CAD/CAM runs and storage that stand up to plaster, dust and daily use. Labs USA plans dental lab cabinets zone by zone and installs them nationwide.
Cabinets Built for Dental Lab Work
Dental laboratories make crowns, bridges, dentures, implant parts and aligners for one patient at a time. U.S. Census County Business Patterns data counts 4,782 dental lab establishments with about 42,000 employees in 2023 (Census CBP via VantaInsights). They range from one-technician shops to large digital labs, and many dental schools, orthodontic practices and multi-office groups run their own in-house labs.
Every one of those rooms runs on its cabinets. Dental lab cabinets carry the sinks, plaster traps, dust ports, drawers, power and gas lines that technicians use all day. This page explains how to choose dental laboratory cabinets and casework for each zone of the lab. It is part of our laboratory casework range, and Labs USA plans, supplies and installs it nationwide.
Plan Dental Lab Cabinets by Zone
Most dental labs have four or five work zones. Each one asks something different of the cabinets, so plan them zone by zone instead of buying one long run of identical boxes.
Laying the zones out first also tells you where the plumbing, ducts and electrical drops have to go, which is much cheaper to settle before the cabinets are ordered. Our dental lab design guide covers room layout and workflow in more depth.
Model Room Sinks and Plaster Traps
Stone and plaster can set inside a drain. A plaster trap under the sink lets solids settle into a canister you can empty, instead of reaching the building’s pipes. One trap maker sells 3.5 and 5 gallon sizes and asks for 7 to 9 inches of clearance between the sink tailpipe and the top of the trap (Patterson trap instructions).
That means the sink base cabinet has to be planned around the trap: an open or wide door, enough depth and height, and no drawer or shelf in the way. Choose the trap first, then size the cabinet. Pair the sink with an epoxy resin or phenolic top that can take wet stone, and keep model storage in closed cabinets nearby so dust stays off the shelves.
Dust Ports and Vapor Capture at the Bench
Grinding, cutting and polishing make fine dust all day. OSHA’s bulletin on beryllium in dental labs describes a technician who developed chronic beryllium disease after years of grinding and sandblasting alloys, cleaning up with a household vacuum. It recommends doing casting, cutting, grinding and polishing of those alloys under properly designed local exhaust, with HEPA filters on vacuums and exhaust systems (OSHA Hazard Information Bulletin). OSHA’s current rules for beryllium are listed on its beryllium standards page.
For cabinets, that means each technician bench should have a dust port or hood at the front edge, a path for the hose or duct inside the base, and a top that wipes clean. Many casting investments also contain crystalline silica, so check the SDS and OSHA’s silica guidance when you plan the investing area.
Acrylic work is a vapor problem, not a dust problem. Methyl methacrylate, the monomer used in many denture acrylics, has an OSHA permissible exposure limit of 100 ppm as an 8-hour average (29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1). An exhaust snorkel mounted over the mixing and packing station captures vapor at the source, and the casework run should leave space for the arm’s wall or ceiling mount and duct.
- A dust port or downdraft hood at every grinding and finishing station
- Base cabinets with a clear chase for vacuum hoses and electrical cords
- Local exhaust or a snorkel over acrylic mixing, soldering and burnout areas
- HEPA-filtered collection instead of shop or household vacuums for cleanup
- Closed, labeled storage for monomer and other flammable liquids
Cabinet and Countertop Materials
Cabinet bodies. Powder-coated steel is the common choice for dental lab cabinets. It is strong, easy to clean and holds up to plaster dust and heavy drawers. Phenolic or laminate cabinets suit dry areas such as reception and case intake.
Work surfaces. Phenolic resin resists scratches, stains and most lab chemicals, which makes it a good default for technician benches. Epoxy resin handles more heat and wet stone, so it works well at the sink and near burnout and casting. Stainless steel is the easiest to sanitize. Compare them in our epoxy vs phenolic guide and the full list of countertop options.
Heights. Technician benches are usually sit-down height with open knee space. Model room, CAD/CAM and shipping counters are often standing height. Mixing both in one room is normal.
Drawers and Storage for Dental Labs
Dental labs store a lot of small, valuable items, so drawer layout matters as much as the number of cabinets.
- Shallow drawers with dividers for burs, instruments and attachments at each bench
- Deep drawers or bins for articulators, flasks and models
- Tall cabinets for stone, investment and acrylic supplies, kept away from the sink splash zone
- Wall cabinets with glass doors for shades, guides and frequently used supplies
- Open shelving or a cart near intake for case pans moving between zones
- Lockable storage for precious metal alloys and controlled items
Plan for growth, too. Labs that add a mill or printer often run out of power and counter space first, so leave one open run or a movable table in the plan.
Planning Your Dental Lab Casework
Bring these details to your first call and the quote will come together faster:
- Number of technicians and how many seated benches you need
- Your equipment list, including mills, printers, furnaces and dust collectors
- Where sinks and plaster traps need to go
- Which processes you run in-house: acrylics, casting, ceramics or digital only
- Any existing cabinets, utilities or room limits we should plan around
How Labs USA Works With Dental Labs
Review the Lab
We walk through each zone, your equipment list and how cases move through the room.
Plan the Casework
We draw a free layout with cabinets, tops, sinks, dust ports and storage.
Coordinate Trades
We share plumbing, exhaust, power and data locations with your contractor.
Deliver and Install
We deliver and install the casework and check every station before handover.
For the wider room, see our dental lab furniture guide. If you are fitting out a dental clinic’s sterilization room rather than a lab, our dental sterilization casework guide covers that space. Utah labs can also browse laboratory casework in Utah. Call (801) 855-8560 to talk with our team.
Shop Exhaust Snorkels and Workbenches for Dental Labs
Related products, not dental lab casework. The exhaust snorkels capture vapor and fume over acrylic, soldering and burnout stations; they do not replace a dust collector at grinding benches. The Lyon workbench kit suits intake, packing or support counters. Dental lab cabinets are quoted per project. Call (801) 855-8560.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best cabinets for a dental lab?
Powder-coated steel base cabinets with phenolic resin tops suit most technician benches. Use epoxy resin or stainless steel near sinks and hot processes, and add dust ports at every grinding station.
What countertop is best for a dental lab bench?
Phenolic resin is a strong default because it resists scratches, stains and most chemicals. Epoxy resin takes more heat and wet stone, so it suits the model room and casting area.
Do dental lab sinks need a plaster trap?
A plaster trap keeps stone and plaster solids out of the drain. Check your local plumbing rules, then size the sink base cabinet around the trap you choose.
How do I control dust at dental lab benches?
Use a dust port or downdraft hood at each grinding and finishing station, connected to a HEPA-filtered collector. OSHA recommends local exhaust and HEPA filtration when working beryllium-containing alloys.
Can Labs USA help with an in-office dental lab?
Yes. We plan compact casework for in-office labs, from a single bench with a sink and storage to a full room, and coordinate with your contractor.
Do you install dental lab casework outside Utah?
Yes. Labs USA is based in Salt Lake City and supplies and installs laboratory casework for dental labs across the United States.
Planning a new or updated dental lab?
Share your team size, equipment and processes. We will plan cabinets, tops, sinks and storage for every zone of your lab.
Get a Free Quote Call (801) 855-8560