Digital Dental Prep and Scan Workflow

Phase 1

Design the preparation

Start with a well-designed prep.

1. 1

   Step 1: Shape the walls nearly parallel

   The goal is nearly parallel walls. Be careful of undercuts.

   • Taper the walls between 4° and 8°.

   Check: Walls tapered 4°–8°, with no undercuts

2. 2

   Step 2: Add retention when needed

   Well-placed grooves and box forms increase retention, especially on short preps.

   • Aim for a coronal length of at least 4.0 mm.
   • On a short prep, add grooves or box forms.

   Check: Short preps have grooves or box forms

3. 3

   Step 3: Reduce uniformly

   Proper reduction maintains adequate thickness; uniform thickness helps the integrity and strength of the restoration.

   • Occlusal reduction: at least 1.5 mm in the contact area.
   • Shoulder prep: at least 1.0 mm proximal reduction.
   • Taper the occlusal surface. A flat surface requires a thin restoration in the primary grooves.

   Check: Uniform reduction; occlusal tapered, not flat

4. 4

   Step 4: Round every edge

   Round edges are necessary for a successful restoration. Sharp edges on the prep create design challenges and compromise material strength.

   Check: All edges rounded, none sharp

Phase 2

Adjust the adjacent contacts

Before tissue management.

1. 5

   Step 5: Evaluate and adjust the adjacent contacts

   • Make contacts parallel with the prep and with each other, for draw and breadth.
   • Make contacts broad, for ideal restorations.

   Check: Contacts parallel with the prep and each other, and broad

Phase 3

Retract, clean and dry

Get the margin ready for the scanner. Tissue and tooth structure look the same to a scanner, so a great scan starts before the scanner ever reaches the tooth.

1. 6

   Step 6: Manage the tissue: double pack the cord

   Double pack the cord, then remove the top cord just before scanning.

   Check: Margin is clear of tissue all the way around

2. 7

   Step 7: Make the prep CDC and clean the margins

   Clean the margins with a micro brush. CDC means:

   • Clean: no debris.
   • Dry, dry, dry: no moisture.
   • Clean margins.
3. 8

   Step 8: Beware of double margins

   Double-check the margin before scanning. A double margin confuses the margin line on the scan.

   Check: One clean, continuous margin; no double margins

Phase 4

Scan the prep, bite and opposing arch

Intraoral scanning technique for an accurate digital impression.

1. 9

   Step 9: Scan with the recommended pattern

   Use your scanner manufacturer's recommended scan pattern for the most accurate scan and best results. For practices with a scanner placed by True-Fit Dental IOS, Eric walks the team through the scan workflow during in-office training.

2. 10

   Step 10: Capture the opposing arch and the bite

   Capture the contact and occlusal surfaces that will touch the restoration.

   • Scan the opposing arch, then take a full bite scan, finishing the scan pattern rather than stopping early.
   • If the patient's bite is unusual, take a photo for the lab.

   Check: Bite verified after the case renders

Phase 5

Check the scan and send it to the lab

Review before you send.

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   Step 11: Evaluate the scan for margin clarity

   Before you send the case, look closely at the scan and confirm the margins are clearly captured, the contacts are complete, and the bite is correct.

2. 12

   Step 12: Send the case to the lab

   • Send good upper, lower and bite scans, plus a preop or provisional scan if needed.
   • Complete the Rx, with any notes on scheduling, design or due date.
   • Not sure about a margin or the bite? Call Eric before you send.

   Check: Upper, lower and bite scans attached; Rx complete

Run it top to bottom before you send

Chairside checklist