Dentistry is changing fast, as new tools and technologies reshape how care is provided and how dental teams work behind the scenes. Dental labs now use digital design, advanced materials, and new production methods that were not possible just a few years ago. At the center of this shift are professionals who understand both patient care and lab work. Justice S. Martinez is one of those leaders. She has built her career by learning every part of dentistry and bringing those skills together as an owner and dental technician.
As the owner of Jimmy’s Orthodontic Lab Inc., Martinez continues the legacy of a business founded in 1976. At the same time, she is helping move the lab forward in a more digital direction. Since becoming an owner in 2024, she has taken on many roles. She fabricates cases, communicates with clients, creates new accounts, markets services, and works closely with her team to keep production running smoothly. She is also focused on maintaining the lab’s family-like atmosphere, which has always been part of its identity.
From Chairside Experience to Laboratory Leadership
Martinez’s success comes from years of hands-on experience. She started her career as a dental assistant and worked directly with patients in both orthodontic and clinical settings. This gave her a strong understanding of how dental care works in real life.
Later, Martinez moved into digital design. As a CAD designer and lead dental lab CAD designer at Doctors Implants, she gained experience with computer-aided design and modern dental technology. That step helped her build the technical skills needed to work in a lab environment. When she joined Jimmy’s Orthodontic Lab, she brought both clinical knowledge and digital expertise. That combination prepared her for ownership and leadership.
Embracing Innovation in Dentistry
Martinez is excited about new technology, especially in areas like 3D metal printing. She understands that some doctors and patients may feel unsure about trying something new. She believes that comfort comes from education and real examples. By sharing successful cases and showing how the technology works, she hopes more people will feel confident using it.
For Martinez, innovation is not about rushing change. It is about helping people understand it and trust it.
Leadership Through Adaptability and Communication
Martinez believes strong leadership starts with understanding people. Because everyone has their own learning style, she adjusts her teaching and training methods. She knows that not everyone learns in the same way and that flexibility helps people grow.
Knowing that stepping into new responsibilities can feel overwhelming, Martinez encourages persistence. Her advice is to keep pushing forward, communicate openly, and stay patient with the process.
The Value of Behind-the-Scenes Excellence
Martinez considers her most significant achievement to be her journey from chairside work to lab ownership. She is proud to have experience in every area of dentistry. That full understanding helps her make better decisions and support both her team and her clients.
Being known as “the man behind the curtain” underscores the importance of lab work, even when it is not always visible. Martinez takes pride in knowing that her work helps doctors deliver better care to patients every day.
Service, Growth, and a Long-Term Vision
Service is also a major part of Martinez’s career. Through volunteer work with Dental Hope and Dentistry From The Heart, she has helped provide dental care to people who might not otherwise have access to it. These experiences remind her why her work matters beyond business success.
Looking ahead, Martinez plans to grow Jimmy’s Orthodontic Lab by hiring more employees while keeping its personal, family-focused environment. She also hopes to build her own dental association and eventually own a building that brings together multiple dental practices and labs.
Martinez continues to show that progress in dentistry comes from dedication, learning, and a willingness to grow. Her career reflects how strong leadership and steady effort can shape the profession’s future.
