Partial Denture Scanning Best Practices

Below, we've outlined partial denture scanning best practice techniques that will increase the likelihood of success for your case:

Moisture Control 

Keep the area dry before and during scanning. 

• Try using active suction or compressed air - one person can scan while another can work to keep the area dry.
• Saliva is the leading cause of voids and distortions. 

Cheek and Lip Retraction 

• Use tools around the office to your advantage. Cheek retractors help greatly in keeping the cheek away from the hard-to-get vestibule areas. 

Gum Tissue Scanning 

• Tilt the scanner on both sides of the patient's arch.
• Do not just hover directly over the occlusal surface - try different angles. • Slow down when scanning the posterior teeth - scanning too quickly leads to voids. 

Case Submission Checklist

Before scan submission and dismissing the patient, check the following: 

• Are all surfaces of the posterior teeth captured? 
• Are both of the retromolar pads captured? 
• Are there any distortions, holes, or layering? 
• Is the entire palate captured? 

Good Scan Examples

1. Captures vestibule areas - lingual and buccal.                                                       
2. Captures at least 5 mm of the lingual and buccal gum tissue.                           
3. Captures the full palate.                                                                                   
4. Captures both retromolar pads.                                                                         

Bad Scan Examples

1. Contain voids.                                                                                                     
2. Contain layering.                                                                                               
3. Contain holes.                                                                                                             
4. Contain distortions.