Family-Owned. Precision-Driven. Built on Trust.

At Crown Creations, We Treat You Like Royalty is our mission, not a marketing phrase.

A family photo of the Thomas family of Crown Creations Dental Laboratory in McMinnville, Oregon standing on rocky riverside with trees in the background, smiling at the camera, during sunset.

The Crown Creations Story

Crown Creations was founded in January 1996 by James and Rhonda Thomas with a simple belief: quality over quantity. What began with one local dentist, zero employees, and no money in the bank was built through vision, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship. From the very start, every case was treated with care, accountability, and respect, values that continue to define Crown Creations today.

Crown Creations was built on craftsmanship and leadership long before digital workflows became standard, and we’ve continued to lead through innovation without ever sacrificing quality.

Icon of a small storefront with an awning, door, and window.

Certified Dental Laboratory (CDL) since 1990

Outline map of the state of Arizona with a location pin marker.

Family-owned and operated since 1996

NADL logo with the text 'National Association of Dental Laboratories' and a stylized crescent shape.

Active National Association of Dental Laboratories (NADL) member since 2013

The logo for the Oregon Association of Dental Laboratories with the acronym 'OADL' in large letters and the full name below.

Leadership involvement in the Oregon Association of Dental Laboratories (OADL)

We were among the first dental laboratories in the U.S. to adopt advanced milling technologies, including early Circon Wet Milling systems. Our lab has been at the forefront of technology adoption:

One of the first dental laboratories in the U.S. to utilize Circon Wet Milling

Among the first in the Pacific Northwest to introduce titanium milling for authentic Straumann custom abutments

Early private purchaser of the Roland 43W Titanium Milling Machine, enabling in-house OEM Straumann abutment milling

Today, Crown Creations remains family-owned and operated, with the second generation of the Thomas family actively involved in daily operations. The lab proudly employs over 20 team members across locations in McMinnville and Redmond, Oregon, while manufacturing all restorations in-house at its McMinnville headquarters.

Nearly three decades later, the mission remains unchanged: to invest time in every case, respect every doctor, and support the best possible outcome for every patient without ever compromising quality.

Meet the Team


Headshot of James Thomas, Founder and Master Technician of Crown Creations Dental Laboratory in McMinnville, Oregon.

James Thomas, CDT

Founder & Master Technician

James Thomas has been a Certified Dental Technician since 1990, bringing over 35 years of experience to Crown Creations. His leadership helped shape the lab’s foundation of integrity, precision, and accountability. James has served in multiple executive roles within OADL, including President (2014–2015), and continues to uphold the craftsmanship standards that define the lab today.


Max Thomas

Max Thomas is a second-generation technician and co-owner of Crown Creations Inc. From the age of five, Max was raised in the dental environment. Before he was given a handpiece and the opportunity to manage his family’s business, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Western Oregon University. With a major in Business Administration and a minor in Entrepreneurship. With over 15 years of experience, he specializes in fixed implant restorations, full-mouth rehabilitation, and bringing top-tier communication to both clinicians and fellow laboratories. He leads with a positive, can-do attitude and pushes his team to do the same.

As a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) for multiple companies in the dental industry, Max is known for his high-energy presentations and authentic approach to topics such as in-house milling of custom titanium abutments, AHA digital workflows, and the real-world economics of capital equipment.

  • Featured in the 2018 IDT Magazine “The Next Generation Speaks”.

  • Served as President of the Oregon Association of Dental Labs (OADL) in 2020 and 2023.

  • DevRight Speaker Development Series Graduate (2026) - “The Road Map to Owning It”

Co-Owner | Vice President | General Manager | Implant Specialist

As a DevRight grad, Max is actively involved in education and professional development within the dental laboratory and restorative dentistry community. His speaking engagements focus on real-world workflows, implant systems, materials, and predictable outcomes, grounded in daily lab experience.

LMT Lab Day Chicago 2026 logo with red and black text and decorative red curves at the top

LMT Lab Day Chicago
February 19–21, 2026
Location:
Hyatt Regency, Chicago

LMT Lab Day Chicago is the largest international gathering of the dental laboratory community in North America and widely considered the premier global event for dental technology. Celebrating its 41st anniversary in February 2026, the event brings together more than 4,500 dental technicians, lab owners, and clinicians from around the world.


LMT Lab Day West
May 15-16, 2026
Location:
Garden Grove, California

LMT Lab Day West is the largest dental laboratory technology show on the West Coast, serving as a premier regional stage for innovative products.

1st Session: The Real-Deal Economic Impact of Capital Equipment

2nd Session: Pre-Milled Abutment Blank Workflow
Sponsor: Straumann
Co-Presenter: Charles Banh (Owner/Technician at Ceramics West Dental Lab)

Presentation Title: FDA-Cleared Pre-Milled Abutment Blank Workflow
Sponsor: Straumann
Co-Presenter: Charles Banh (Owner/Technician at Ceramics West Dental Lab)

Additional events will be added as they are confirmed.


Headshot of Rhonda Thomas, Head of Communications and Client Relations of Crown Creations Dental Laboratory in McMinnville, Oregon.

Rhonda Thomas

Co-founder & Retired Superstar

While Rhonda Thomas has stepped away from the day-to-day responsibilities of the business, passing the operational torch to her younger son Cody, her DNA is in every single corner of Crown Creations.

From day one, Rhonda did it all. Accounting? She handled it. Production? She was in a microscope applying stain and glaze on crowns. Logistics? She was out making the deliveries. As the business grew, Rhonda ensured our scalability never faltered, balancing the needs of new employees and an expanding client base. She built the rock-solid foundation that we stand on today.

These days, Rhonda is putting that trademark Crown Creations energy into new passions. If you can’t find her dominating the local competitive tennis circuit, she’s likely busy maintaining her yard. She has officially traded workplace invoices for tennis trophies and beautiful garden views - living proof that legends never truly retire, they just find new courts to conquer.


Headshot of Cody Thomas, Head of Operations and Accountability of Crown Creations Dental Laboratory in McMinnville, Oregon.

Cody Thomas

Office Coordinator

​Every great family business needs a secret weapon, and ours is Cody. Officially, he is our Office Coordinator. Unofficially, he is our resident finance guru, HR champion, and tech implementation wizard all rolled into one.

Whether he's walking a client through an account statement, streamlining workflows through our lab management software, or spearheading the design of the very website you’re reading right now, ​Cody ensures excellent customer service is at the heart of everything we do.

​Cody brings a truly travelled pedigree to our team. After graduating from the University of Oregon, focusing on Psychology, Business, and Spanish, he continued his education in the UK, earning a​ Master's degree in Human Resource Management from Keele University. Payroll,​ information technology, or general workplace mysteries—​C​ody has it completely covered.

Our Approach to Partnership

We believe the best restorations are created through collaboration, not transactions. Our partnership philosophy is built on:

Open doctor–technician communication

Education and planning support

Digital and analog workflow expertise

Predictable turnaround times

We don’t outsource, overpromise, or cut corners. We work alongside dentists to make their processes more efficient and their outcomes more reliable. All implant components are milled in-house, Made in America, and produced under one roof in McMinnville, Oregon.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you didn’t find what you were looking for, don’t hesitate to reach out. We believe open communication leads to better outcomes, and we’re always happy to help.

General Questions

For Patients

For Dentists & Dental Office Staff

Let’s Build Something Together

Whether you’re exploring a new lab partnership or looking for a team that values precision and communication as much as you do, Crown Creations is here to support you.