Wet and dry milling both have a place in modern digital dentistry. The better choice depends on the materials you need to process, the cases your lab or clinic handles, the available space, and how you want to manage production. Understanding the strengths of each workflow helps you select equipment that supports daily work rather than adding avoidable complexity.<\/p>\n
Dry milling is commonly used for materials that are processed without liquid coolant, including zirconia, PMMA, wax, and some composite materials. It is a familiar workflow for laboratories producing a high volume of zirconia restorations. Dry machining can provide an efficient path for routine production when paired with proper dust extraction, tool management, and maintenance procedures.<\/p>\n
Wet milling uses liquid coolant during machining. It is often selected for materials and indications that benefit from cooling, chip removal, or a cleaner surface finish. Glass ceramics and certain metal or hybrid workflows may require wet processing according to material recommendations. A wet workflow also calls for attention to coolant changes, cleaning, and machine care.<\/p>\n