Making Digital Dentistry Easy

Inconsistency: Scanning an arch incrementally without following a consistent pattern can result in loss of cross-arch accuracy. A recommended approach is to establish a roadmap first, starting with the occlusion and then filling in the buccal and lingual data.

Skipping Steps: Another common mistake is skipping steps or setting up a case generically instead of selecting the appropriate case type and following its specific scanning sequence. For example, an implant case may require a different workflow than a sleep appliance case.

Slow scanning isn't necessarily caused by the scanner itself. One common cause is that the computer supporting the scanner isn't properly updated.

Check that:

·      The computer's operating system is up to date.

·      The graphics card is up to date.

·      Drivers and related software are properly updated.

When the computer, drivers, and scanner software aren't properly aligned, glitches or slower scanning can occur regardless of the scanner brand.

In many cases, yes. Digital scans don't have the same mechanical tissue displacement that traditional impression materials can provide. With a traditional impression, the impression material can help displace tissue and expose the preparation margin.

For digital impressions, the margin needs to be adequately exposed by other means. Depending on the case, this may include appropriate preparation and the use of retraction cord or a laser to expose the margin. Consider a chamfer or shoulder preparation rather than relying on very thin knife-edge margins when the case is digitally fabricated.

Don't rely solely on the color image.

Be sure to check the preparation in STL/monochromatic view. A margin can appear clearly defined in a PLY/color scan because of the difference between tooth and tissue color, even when the actual scanned geometry doesn't clearly capture the margin.

Before submitting a case, zoom in on the margin in STL view and confirm that you can clearly identify the actual margin.

Yes. Scan the posterior bite on both the left and right sides rather than relying on a single bite scan.

Scanning only one side can make the articulation appear correct on the screen even when the opposite side is slightly inaccurate. Discrepancies can be as much as a half a millimeter or a millimeter, and scanning both sides helps the software properly relate the arches.

The laboratory needs to know exactly which scan body was used so we can select the correct corresponding digital library information.

It's not always enough to list only the implant brand. If you're using a third-party scan body, identify the manufacturer of that scan body, as well as the implant system it is designed for. Different third-party scan bodies can have different specifications, and incorrectly identifying one can lead to confusion during the workflow.

Fully edentulous scans can be particularly challenging because soft tissue doesn't provide the same distinctive contours and reference points as natural teeth.

Following a very strict scanning pattern is critical for these cases. If a patient already has a denture, another option is taking a wash impression inside the existing denture and scanning that instead. This can provide additional definition and make tissue information easier to capture digitally.