Accurate dental impressions are critical for the successful submission of dental cases. Over the past two decades, 3-D technology has greatly influenced dentistry, and its impact is expected to grow. Increasingly, practitioners are shifting from traditional impression methods to intraoral scanners due to their efficiency and precision.
A 2014 study highlighted that intraoral scanners can significantly speed up the workflow of creating dental impressions. The advantages of using intraoral scanners include:
- Enhanced comfort for patients compared to traditional methods
- Cost savings on impression materials
- Elimination of shipping complexities
- Greater accuracy than conventional impressions
- Reduction in errors and the need for re-impressions
- Ability to electronically send scans for quicker turnaround
Uploading a Scan
You can upload scan files from any intraoral scanner to the Doctor Portal, provided they are in STL format—an open, industry-standard file format supported by most scanners. To submit a case, first export your STL files from your scanner to your computer, then upload these files online.
When using scanners, consider the following recommendations:
- It is advisable to inspect your STL files visually before submission. A good tool for viewing STL files is netfabb Studio Basic, which is free for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Other options include MiniMagics and FreeCAD.
- Scanners may produce multiple files, but only the files for the upper and lower arches are necessary. These should be saved in separate files, with the arches oriented in occlusion.
- Always scan both arches, even if only one arch is being treated or revised, to accurately recreate the occlusion and avoid errors.
- We prefer "closed shell" models, though "open shell" models are also acceptable.
- Be sure to capture at least 3-5 mm of gingiva in the scan to prevent aligners from flaring at the edges.
- For more precise bite scans, include as much of the occlusion as possible with your scanner.
- While we cannot provide support for specific scanner software, your account representative is available to assist with any other questions you may have.
Why is bite registration required for intraoral scans?
The majority of scanners include the bite registration as part of the metadata and are a part of the upper and lower scan files (.stl). Our software uses your scans and bite to articulate them. However, if you would like, you can submit the digital bite registration file during the case submission process.