Introduction: SWOT analysis is defined as a strategic tool which assists companies in defining a comprehensive strategy for further or future business operations. As long as the strategy provides a competitive advantage, the company is on the path to successful business. When the set goals or comprehensive strategy do not lead to successful business operations and the company does not achieve the desired results, it is necessary to reuse strategic tools, examine all changes in the internal and external environment of the company and redesign a comprehensive strategy. This must be such as to enable a lasting competitive advantage to be achieved (Dimovski et al., 2005). In the SWOT analysis the external and internal environment are to be considered. The external environment includes opportunities and threats, while the internal environment includes advantages and disadvantages. The word comes from the initial letters of English words: Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat. The strengths are the positive factors which individual or organization can use it to achieve or exceed set goals. Weaknesses disable or worsen the chances of achieving goals. Opportunities help achieve goals. Threats as well as weaknesses prevent or worsen the organization's chances of achieving its goals (Dimovski et al., 2014). Dental crown completely covers the brushed part of the tooth. The goals of fixed prosthetic care are achieved if the dental crown successfully and without obstacles maintains natural occlusion and articulation and restores previously damaged or interrupted teeth, thus achieving fully efficient functioning of the stomatognathic system. It must also maintain the color, shape, position, and size of the tooth which is being replaced. Composite and metal-porcelain crowns meet the listed goals of prosthetic care, so they are aesthetically and functionally satisfactory dental restorations (Ćatković et al., 2015). The work of a laboratory dental prosthetist is precise, responsible and creative, with well-developed manual skills, a sense of aesthetics, design and a sense of color shades. When there is a loss of one or more teeth, there is a need for products and services of laboratory dental prosthetics, which in cooperation with the dental office implements fixed or removable prosthetic care. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma thesis is to explain and master the SWOT analysis, to present the work of a laboratory dental prosthetist and two different ways of making fixed prosthetic restorations. Various examples of the use of SWOT analysis in laboratory dental prosthetics are presented as well. Methods: The diploma thesis uses a descriptive method with a review of professional and scientific literature in Slovene, English and Croatian. The literature was searched with the COBISS system in the libraries of the Faculty of Health and Economics in Ljubljana. Scientific articles were searched in the international literature databases Google Scholar, PubMed and ResearchGate. Results: In the practical part, the process of making composite and metal-porcelain crowns we made and described. Based on a review of the literature and the acquired knowledge, a SWOT analysis for both types of fixed prosthetic restorations and the opening of a dental laboratory. Discussion and conclusion: It was found out that the composite and metal-porcelain crowns meet all the necessary functions of prosthetic care. The key difference is in appearance and price, because the composite crown is completely covered by the Health Insurance Institute of Slovenia. According to the analysis, the opening of the dental laboratory turned out to be a good business decision, as there is no excessive competition in the selected area.
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