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MV Dental Laboratory make high-quality restorations that can completely change a patient’s life for the better. By Frank Leggett
Since starting MV Dental Laboratory in 2011, co-founders Marc Meura and Frank Vartuli have dedicated themselves to high-quality work and efficient turnaround times. There are two elements that make their business work—the technology and the team.
“We run all the different types of software that’s available, including 3Shape, Exocad, and even Zirkonzahn,” says Meura. “We have five in-house milling machines and five large-scale industrial 3D printers. We also have two automated polishing machines. We regularly use shade-matching software that perfectly captures the shade of the patient’s tooth. This gives us patient specific guidelines to make a faultless match.”
Keeping up with the latest technology and software developments is a constant task for all dental laboratories, particularly as the speed of innovation continues to increase. MV Dental Laboratory has recently been in talks with suppliers about adding new cutting-edge units to their business.
“This new tech will change the way we work and improve outcomes for our clients and their patients,” says Vartuli. “We’re hoping to add it to our business in 2026.”
Technical prowess
At present, MV Dental Laboratory has 10 technicians on staff including Meura and Vartuli. Each team member has their own area of expertise and a solid background on the appropriate software and hardware. Speed and accuracy are essential elements of the job.
“We pride ourselves on same-day or next-day service for All-on-X provisional restorations,” says Meura. “Our technology and the close relationship between team members allows for the work to flow smoothly. For us, the patient’s needs always come first. If they’re having major surgery on a particular day and need a restoration urgently, we will drop everything and ensure it happens. Everything we do is booked and planned in advance in order to have it accomplished on time.”
MV Dental Laboratory delivers Australia-wide but their main customer base is on the east coast.
“We have some longstanding clients on the New South Wales coast and others in Queensland,” says Vartuli. “We also service our clients in Melbourne and down in Tasmania. Distance can be a challenge when fast solutions are required but we make it happen.”
Team work
Meura and Vartuli both studied at Randwick TAFE in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs to obtain their dental technician qualifications. Meura graduated in 2002 with Vartuli following a couple of years later. Meura worked at his craft over the next decade and met Vartuli when they happened to be working together for the same business.
I love what I do. Not only am I being creative but I’m making a positive difference in people’s lives. Creating a full arch for an All-on-4 case means that person will see their life radically change for the better.
Marc Meura, co-founder, MV Dental Laboratory
“I thought Frank looked familiar and we realised we had both attended the same high school and TAFE,” says Meura. “We knew each other’s friends and families. As we became friendlier, we began talking about starting our own lab.”
The duo opened MV Dental Laboratory in 2011, working out of Meura’s house for the next 18 months.
“We moved to premises in Liverpool and stayed there for about 10 years,” says Vartuli. “The business did well because we found a gap in the market. At that time, we focused on crown and bridge work. There wasn’t much in the way of competition back then.”
In 2023, MV Dental Laboratory moved to its current premises in Gledswood Hills, a suburb in south-west Sydney. With more room, updated technology and engaged staff, the business has continued to grow.
“From the moment we first opened our doors, I’ve always known we would succeed,” says Meura.
“We have great employees and we have all learned a lot working in this industry. The good thing is that there’s always more to learn—that’s one of the reasons why I love this job.”
Meura and Vartuli are still in the thick of things, using their laboratory technician skills to craft a variety of restorations while collaborating with other team members to find solutions.
“A lot of MV Dental Laboratory’s success has to be credited to the team, their professionalism and the hours they put in,” says Meura. “And I still enjoy being on the tools. I’m like a kid playing Lego—I can’t get enough of it. I find it very satisfying to engage with our team and create elegant solutions to complex problems.”
Using a professional laboratory means the end product is of superior quality due to the training and attention to detail of the technicians.
“The processes we use to achieve the end result are finessed and focused,” says Vartuli. “To create realistic looking, finely detailed, shade-matched restorations is an art and a science. We pay attention to detail to make the best and most natural-looking restorations possible. Being a dedicated dental technician sees your skills continually improve over time.”
MV Dental Laboratory has the infrastructure in place to ensure the workflow moves smoothly. There is good communication between all team members and clients. The balance between artistry, technology and innovation is clear and well-maintained. As technology is now moving so fast, it must be continually updated. Equipment that was cutting-edge three years ago has now been superseded. As well as a reputation for high-quality work, MV Dental Laboratory is a proudly independent business.
“Our clients and their patients are our number one priority,” says Meura. “Frank and I pride ourselves on being available all the time. Whatever our clients need, we are there for them. We receive commissions from dentists and specialists but are only able to see a few patients face-to-face. In order for us to perfectly meet requirements and make the patient look good, communication is the true key to success.”
Still expanding
The main products created by MV Dental Laboratory are crowns and bridges, custom implant restorations, and hybrid implants used extensively for full arch restorations. The company has enjoyed progressive growth over the past 15 years and is ready for more.
“We are looking forward to expanding and solidifying with some more high-end technology,” says Vartuli. “While we appreciate our long-term clients, it’s heartening that so many new customers are using our services. Word of mouth is the best type of marketing and that’s the main reason new clients come to us. As our business grows, so does our need for more space. We have our eye on new premises but have to wait until the current tenant moves out. It’s not a problem to stay abreast of the situation; they are right next door!”
To be a dental technician is to be a jack of all trades—artist, engineer and scientist. An extreme attention to detail is required when creating a product where fractions of millimetres can be the difference between success and failure. It’s a demanding, time reliant job that’s constantly under pressure.
“I love what I do,” says Meura. “Not only am I being creative but I’m making a positive difference in people’s lives. Creating a full arch for an All-on-4 case means that person will see their life radically change for the better. They may have had trouble eating, were probably not smiling and usually have issues with socialising. Unfortunately, many of these patients suffer from years of neglect or trauma. To be part of the process to help them live life again is fantastic. Whenever I see the before-and-after photos, that really makes me feel good.”
