1. Which software do they actually design in?
Ask which platform your cases will be designed in and which file formats you will receive. You want open STL (or PLY) output that drops straight into your milling or printing workflow — not files locked to a system you do not own.
2. What is the real turnaround time?
Overnight delivery on routine work is the standard to look for: files sent by end of day come back designed the next morning. Also ask how urgent cases are handled — a partner who can turn an emergency single crown around quickly is worth keeping.
3. How are revisions handled?
Revisions are a normal part of digital dentistry. Before committing, ask whether adjustments are included, how many rounds are typical, and how quickly revision requests are turned around. A revision policy that is vague before the first case will not improve after it.
4. What do they check before delivering?
A design partner should be able to describe their quality checklist without hesitating: margins, contacts, occlusion, minimum thickness, implant components and screw channel positions. If the answer is just 'experience', keep looking.
5. How do they handle your data?
Patient-related case data deserves care. Ask how files are transferred and stored, and make sure you have a clear privacy agreement. A professional service will have a published privacy policy and no hesitation about answering these questions.
Start with one case
The lowest-risk way to evaluate any design partner — including us — is a single routine case. Send one crown, review the design, produce it and judge the fit. The work speaks for itself.