Better Digital Impressions

PUBLISHED: May 23, 2025

Master the Digital Impression: Ten Keys to Perfect IOS Cases

Intraoral scanning has revolutionized the way dentists capture impressions and collaborate with dental laboratories. As experts working with thousands of digital cases, we've identified patterns that separate successful restorations from those requiring remakes or adjustments.

Drawing from our extensive experience in digital dentistry, we have compiled these essential tips for better digital dental impressions. Our goal is to help you maximize your scanning outcomes and improve your partnership with the lab.

The Three Biggest Digital Impression Mistakes

Even the most advanced technology can't compensate for fundamental scanning errors. Here are the top three mistakes our technicians encounter daily:

1. Quad Scans Instead of Full Arch Impressions: When doctors send quad scans, we lose vital information about how the patient's bite functions as a whole system. This significantly increases the risk that chairside adjustments will be needed. While it might seem efficient to scan only the quadrant containing the restoration, this approach often leads to complications. Full arch scans provide crucial context for proper occlusion, alignment, and overall fit. Without complete arch information, technicians must make educated guesses that might not match your patient's specific anatomy.

2. Unclear or Incomplete Margins: The single most critical factor in any restoration is margin visibility. Without clear, well-defined margins, even the most skilled technician cannot create a properly fitting restoration. This issue represents the number one cause of case rejections and remakes. Digital scanners require even more attention to margin preparation than traditional impressions. This is because they capture exactly what they see—no more, no less.

3. Vague Prescriptions Lacking Essential Patient Information: Digital dentistry thrives on data, yet many prescriptions arrive with minimal patient-specific details. When we receive a prescription without information about your patient's grinding habits, aesthetic expectations, or specific challenges, we're forced to make assumptions that might not align with your intentions.

Seven Actionable Tips for Flawless Digital Impressions

Now let's focus on some steps you can take to ensure your digital impressions lead to exceptional results:

1. Use Double-Pack Retraction Cord for Superior Margin Visibility: Our technical team always recommends double-pack retraction cord as the gold standard for creating ideal margin visibility. This technique creates clean, accessible margins that digital scanners can capture with precision. This gives our technicians exactly what they need to create perfect-fitting restorations.

2. Ensure Scans Are Completely Free of Contaminants: Digital scanners capture every detail with remarkable precision—including blood, moisture, and debris. With traditional impressions, minor contaminants can often be overlooked. However, digital scanners capture everything. Before scanning, ensure the field is completely clean and dry for optimal results.

3. Review Your Scans Before Submission: The most successful doctors take an extra minute to carefully review their scans before sending them to the lab. Look for missing areas, distortions, or artifacts that might compromise the quality of your restoration. This simple quality control step can prevent delays and remakes.

4. Always Submit Full Arch Scans: As mentioned earlier, full arch scans provide essential context for proper restoration design. They allow technicians to evaluate occlusal relationships, alignment, and functional movements. This comprehensive approach leads to restorations that require minimal adjustments and function harmoniously within the patient's unique anatomy.

5. Avoid Multiple Passes Over the Same Area: When scanning, try to capture each area in a single pass. Multiple scans of the same region create overlapping data that can complicate processing and potentially introduce inconsistencies in the digital model. A methodical, systematic scanning pattern produces the cleanest data for the lab to work with.

6. Submit Scans Immediately After Capture: Digital workflow excels when it flows without interruption. Submitting scans immediately after capturing them keeps the process moving efficiently and prevents potential delays. This practice also ensures that any questions or concerns can be addressed promptly while the case details are still fresh.

7. Provide Comprehensive Patient Details: The most successful cases come from doctors who provide more information than necessary. Note your patient's grinding habits, aesthetic preferences, specific challenges, or unique expectations. These details help our technicians make informed decisions that align with your treatment goals.

Intraoral Scanner Compatibility: Seamless Integration With Your System

One of the significant advantages of working with Oral Arts is our commitment to accepting all digital scans. We've invested in developing robust workflows that accommodate all major intraoral scanning systems currently on the market.

Compatible With All Major Intraoral Scanner Systems

Our technical team has extensive experience processing scans from diverse intraoral scanner systems, including:

Each system has its own unique strengths, and we've dedicated ourselves to mastering the nuances of each one.

Your Scanner Choice, Our Commitment

When selecting an intraoral scanner for your practice, the most important factor is finding a system that fits your clinical workflow and preferences. Rest assured that whichever scanner you choose, our lab is fully equipped to receive, process, and fabricate exceptional restorations from your digital impressions.

The Fundamentals Matter Most

Our experience has shown that regardless of which scanner you use, following the best practices outlined in this article will significantly improve your results. The core principles of proper preparation, full arch scanning, and clear communication apply universally across all scanner platforms.

The #1 Success Factor for Cases with Digital Impressions: Communication

Beyond technical considerations, our data shows that the single most important factor in successful digital cases is thorough communication. The most successful doctors with our lab:

Provide detailed, comprehensive prescriptions
Utilize multiple communication channels (phone, email, text)
Share information proactively rather than reactively
Maintain transparency about patient-specific conditions

The foundation of every perfect restoration is clear communication. When doctors communicate thoroughly, we can anticipate challenges, ask the right questions, and create restorations that truly meet both functional and aesthetic expectations.

Moving Forward Together in the Digital Dentistry Workflow

The transition to digital dental impressions represents not just a technological shift but a transformation in how dentists and labs collaborate. By implementing these best practices, you'll not only improve your immediate case outcomes but also establish a more efficient, communicative partnership with your lab.

We're committed to supporting your success in digital dentistry. Our team of master ceramists and certified dental technicians is always available to answer questions and provide guidance as you continue to refine your digital impression techniques.

Ready to optimize your digital dental impression workflow? Contact our team with any questions about implementing these recommendations in your practice.