Bite registration is a fundamental step in many dental procedures, yet it’s common for dental professionals to encounter issues that can compromise the accuracy of their restorations. This blog post focuses on understanding and resolving incomplete bite scans to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of your dental practice using digital scanning technology.
When performing bite scans, dental professionals may encounter one of four primary issues: Incomplete Bite Scan, Incorrect Bite, Open Bite, and Intersections. Today, we’re focusing specifically on incomplete bite scans.
Understanding Incomplete Bite Scans
An incomplete bite scan occurs when the digital dental scanner captures one arch correctly but fails to properly attach or align the opposing arch. This often happens when there is insufficient data for the software to work with, especially if the scan doesn’t include enough of the buccal surface.
Key Steps to Troubleshoot and Resolve Incomplete Bite Scans
- Evaluate the Scan Coverage: Ensure that you are capturing enough of the buccal surfaces of the teeth. Inadequate buccal data is a frequent cause of misalignment because the software relies on this information to match the arches correctly.
- Consider the Timing: If you find yourself scanning over an area for more than 10-15 seconds without successful attachment, it’s time to reassess the data you’re providing. Continuing to scan without adjusting your approach is unlikely to resolve the issue.
- Check for Interferences: Soft tissue coverage over the buccal surfaces can interfere with alignment. Ensure that the area you’re scanning is free of obstructions that could mislead the scanning software.
- Rescan with More Detail: If the initial scan fails to align, go back and capture more detailed buccal data. Adding just two to three millimeters more can be enough to facilitate a successful scan. There’s no need to overdo it; just a slight increase in coverage can make a significant difference.
For a clear visual demonstration of how to effectively address and resolve incomplete bite scans, watch the video here.
Achieving complete and accurate bite scans is fundamental for high-quality dental restorations. By understanding the importance of buccal data and ensuring that your scanning technique is precise, you can significantly reduce the occurrence of incomplete bite scans.
For more detailed insights, visit our blog and explore our latest webinar about techniques and troubleshooting for recording occlusion.
