What are current equipment lead times?
On this page
- Key facts
- Where do these lead-time numbers come from?
- Why do lead times hurt the schedule?
- When should each item be ordered?
- What else besides delivery can hold up install day?
- Should equipment be ordered early and stored?
- How do I avoid ordering the wrong thing?
- How FloorStack helps
- Free tools for this step
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources
Plan on about three to five months for the big items. Builders writing in 2026 put dental chairs at 12 to 20 weeks, CBCT units at 10 to 14 weeks, compressors and vacuums at 8 to 14 weeks, and sterilizers at 6 to 10 weeks (Corporeal Visions; Primus). Confirm every lead time with your dealer in writing.
Key facts
| Equipment | Reported lead time | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Dental chairs and delivery units | 12–16 weeks | Primus (Aug 2026) |
| Dental chairs (major manufacturers) | 12–20 weeks | Corporeal Visions (June 2026) |
| CBCT | 10–14 weeks | Primus |
| Panoramic x-ray | 8–12 weeks | Primus |
| Casework and custom cabinetry | 8–12 weeks | Primus |
| Compressed air and vacuum | 8–14 weeks | Corporeal Visions |
| Autoclaves and sterilization | 6–10 weeks | Primus |
| Boyd chairs (manufacturer) | Standard ships 6 weeks after signed acknowledgment and deposit; custom 8 weeks after drawing approval | Boyd |
| Fiber internet | 30–60 days | FloorStack |
Where do these lead-time numbers come from?
Mostly from builders, so treat them as planning ranges. Primus, a commercial contractor, published its figures in August 2026 and calls them "the lead times the manufacturers publish," assuming no complications and an available production slot (Primus). Corporeal Visions, a design-build firm, published its chair and mechanical ranges in June 2026 (Corporeal Visions). Manufacturers rarely post lead times publicly; Boyd is an exception, quoting 6 weeks for standard configurations and 8 weeks for custom products after drawing approval, with a 2-week Quick Ship option for standard equipment with full prepayment that it may decline in peak seasons (Boyd).
Belmont advises buyers to get a realistic timeline in writing, including variables that could push the delivery date (Belmont).
Why do lead times hurt the schedule?
Because the clock often starts too late. Primus walks through the math: a clinical build-out takes 9 to 12 months, and if a 14-week order goes in at month 7, delivery lands 4 to 5 weeks after construction finishes. It estimates a 4-week equipment delay in a mid-sized dental practice could mean $40,000 to $60,000 in carrying costs, with payroll and loan interest running and no patients (Primus).
The bigger risk is upstream. Equipment specs drive rough-in, so a late selection delays the drawings, not just delivery. Corporeal Visions recommends equipment selection be substantially complete 4–6 weeks before permit submission (Corporeal Visions). See build-out delays.
When should each item be ordered?
Work backward from the install date, not forward from today. A sample schedule for a project with install in week 40:
| Item | Lead time used | Order by | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment selection frozen | — | Week 10–14 (4–6 weeks before permit) | Specs go into drawings |
| Fiber internet | 30–60 days | Week 20 | Order at lease signing if possible |
| Chairs and delivery | 20 weeks (high end) | Week 18 | Use the longest quote |
| CBCT or pano | 14 weeks | Week 24 | After shielding plan and compatibility check |
| Compressor and vacuum | 14 weeks | Week 24 | Must be running before chairs |
| Casework | 12 weeks | Week 26 | Field-verify dimensions first |
| Sterilizers | 10 weeks | Week 28 | — |
Week numbers are an illustration using the high end of the published ranges. Primus suggests tying orders to a milestone: equipment orders go in when design is approved and the permit is submitted (Primus). The free permit & inspection tracker (coming soon) is planned to hold permit milestones that can trigger orders, and the free build-out cost & timeline calculator (coming soon) is planned to estimate the overall schedule.
What else besides delivery can hold up install day?
Lead time is only the shipping clock. Several approvals and prerequisites run alongside it:
- Imaging approvals. Many states require a radiation plan review to be approved before the equipment is installed, and Dentsply Sirona requires its online site survey and, for 3D units, a physicist's shielding plan (Dentsply Sirona). Start these when you order, not when the unit ships.
- Finished space. A-dec expects floors, ceiling, plumbing, lighting and paint finished before its equipment is installed (A-dec 511 guide (PDF)). A chair that arrives early still waits for the flooring crew.
- Utilities. Dentsply Sirona requires imaging electrical work to be complete before install day (Dentsply Sirona), and chairs need air and vacuum running, so the mechanical room has to be ready first.
- Network and internet. Fiber can take 30–60 days (FloorStack); imaging and practice software can't be tested without it.
See the pre-installation checklist.
Should equipment be ordered early and stored?
Often yes, with two caveats. Primus notes early equipment can wait in a warehouse (Primus). But storage costs money, and some warranties start before installation: A-dec measures warranty from its invoice date (A-dec). Ask the dealer to time invoicing and delivery, and confirm who insures stored equipment. See warranty registration.
How do I avoid ordering the wrong thing?
A long lead time makes a wrong order expensive. Before ordering imaging, check software compatibility; the free device compatibility checker (coming soon) is planned for that, and our imaging compatibility reference lists vendor-confirmed pairings. Boyd, for example, typically doesn't accept returns on custom equipment (Boyd). Confirm network drops, rack space and Wi-Fi coverage for every device with FloorStack Studio (live, free plan) before the order is final. See pano and CBCT site requirements and the proposal template.
How FloorStack helps
FloorStack is a dental build-out platform that ties equipment to the schedule and the plan. FloorStack Studio (live, free plan) maps devices to the floor plan. The permit & inspection tracker, build-out cost & timeline calculator and device compatibility checker are free tools coming soon. Back to the Dental Equipment Planning hub.
Free tools for this step
- FloorStack Studio (live, free plan): a 3D IT plan of your office with every device placed.
- Permit & inspection tracker (free tool, coming soon): track every permit, inspection and sign-off through the certificate of occupancy.
- Build-out cost & timeline calculator (free tool, coming soon): estimate budget and schedule from your square footage, operatory count and region.
- Device compatibility checker (free tool, coming soon): check sensors, CBCT, pano and PMS bridges before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a dental chair?
Builders report 12–20 weeks in 2026 (Corporeal Visions; Primus). Boyd quotes 6 weeks for standard configurations (Boyd).
What is the lead time for a CBCT?
About 10–14 weeks, per Primus (Primus).
When should I order dental equipment for a new office?
Freeze selections 4–6 weeks before permit submission and place orders when the permit is submitted (Corporeal Visions; Primus).
What does an equipment delay cost?
Primus estimates $40,000–$60,000 in carrying costs for a 4-week delay in a mid-sized dental practice (Primus).
Can I expedite dental equipment?
Sometimes. Boyd offers a 2-week Quick Ship on standard configurations with 100% prepayment, subject to peak demand (Boyd).
How long does business internet take to install?
Fiber can take 30–60 days (FloorStack).
Sources
- Primus Companies: The equipment arrived three weeks after you opened (August 2026)
- Corporeal Visions: Dental Equipment Coordination and Construction (June 2026)
- Boyd Industries: FAQ
- Takara Belmont: Questions to ask before buying operatory equipment
- A-dec: Warranty
- Dentsply Sirona: Imaging Site Survey, Version 44 (PDF)
- A-dec 511 Dental Chair Pre-Installation Guide (PDF)
- FloorStack: New startup
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