Digital impressions have become standard in many practices. They speed up communication, eliminate physical shipments and improve patient comfort. For these gains to translate into well-fitting prostheses, every step of the workflow must be mastered, from scan to delivery.
The steps of the digital workflow
- Intraoral scan: the preparation, the opposing arch and the occlusion are recorded at the practice.
- Sending the files: the files (STL, PLY or OBJ) are sent to the lab via the scanner's platform or a dedicated portal.
- Review and approval: the lab checks the readability of the margins and the occlusion, and contacts you if in doubt.
- Design (CAD): the restoration is modeled taking into account the space, the contacts and the emergence profile.
- Fabrication (CAM): milling or 3D printing depending on the material.
- Finishing: sintering, staining, layering and glazing, done by hand.
- Inspection and delivery: fit and contacts are checked before shipping.
The keys to a usable digital impression
| Point of attention | Why it matters | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
| Visible margins | A blurred margin forces the lab to interpret it | Gingival retraction and hemostasis before scanning |
| Dry field | Saliva and blood create artifacts | Careful drying, effective suction |
| Complete opposing arch | Essential for managing the occlusion | Scan the whole arch, not just the segment |
| Occlusal registration | Avoids chairside adjustments | Buccal scan in maximum intercuspation, on both sides |
| Adjacent teeth | Needed for the contact points | Include at least one tooth on each side |
| Shade | The scan does not replace the eye | Photos with a shade guide, in natural light |
What digital changes for you
Faster communication
Files reach the lab within minutes. A doubt about a margin can be cleared up the same day, before fabrication.
Better traceability
Every case is archived digitally. A restoration can be remade from the original files, without a new impression, if the clinical situation has not changed.
Human know-how remains decisive
Digital does not replace the dental technician's eye. Design, staining and layering remain craft work, carried out in our lab in France.
Working digitally with Dune Dental
Notre laboratoire reçoit les empreintes optiques des principaux scanners intra-oraux. Notre laboratoire accepte les empreintes optiques issues de l’ensemble des principaux scanners intra-oraux (3Shape, Medit, DEXIS, Shining 3D, DScore, AS Connect…).
Vous débutez dans le numérique ? Notre équipe vous accompagne dans la prise en main de votre flux numérique et vous guide sur vos premiers cas. Si vous débutez en numérique, notre équipe peut vous accompagner sur vos premiers cas.
FAQ
Which file formats should you send to the lab?
STL, PLY and OBJ are the most common formats. PLY and OBJ preserve color, which is useful for reading the margins.
Are digital impressions suitable for every prosthesis?
They are suitable for most crowns, short-span bridges, inlays-onlays and veneers. In some situations, such as long spans or certain deeply subgingival margins, a conventional impression may still be preferable.
Should a physical model be sent in addition to the scan?
No, the lab can print the models from your files if needed.
How do you communicate the shade in a digital workflow?
With photos taken with a shade guide, in natural light, attached to the case. A photo of the stump is useful for translucent materials.