Overview: Learn the essential steps to assess crown and bridge scan quality, focusing on margin visibility, interproximal contacts, and bite accuracy to ensure successful restorations.
Ensure Margin Visibility
To provide the design team with clear data, the margin around the prepped tooth must be entirely visible.
Verify View: Confirm the scan is free of blood, tissue, cord, or retraction paste.
Clear Obstructions: If tissue or debris covers the margin, use the trim tool to remove the affected area of the scan.
Rescan: Pack cord or retract tissue as needed, then rescan the trimmed area to capture a clear, unobstructed margin.
Verify Interproximal Contacts
Accurate contacts prevent jagged edges and ensure proper fit for the final crown.
Check Data Completeness: Ensure both mesial and distal contacts adjacent to the prep are fully captured without holes.
Review Smoothness: Inspect the contact points for uneven or jagged appearances.
Refine Scans: Use the trim tool to remove jagged data and rescan the area.
Apply Twist Technique: Use the twist technique for deep subgingival or difficult-to-reach interproximal areas.
Confirm Bite Scan Accuracy
Accurate bite scans reduce the need for chairside adjustments during the seating appointment.
Guide Patient: Direct the patient into centric occlusion.
Verify Alignment: Check for accuracy on both the left and right sides of the arch.
Capture Strategy: Scan from the posterior toward the cuspid.
Include Tissue: Rotate the scanner to capture 2–3mm of gingival tissue on both the upper and lower arches to help the software align the bite.