In the world of dental restoration, precision and efficiency in every step of the process are key to achieving optimal outcomes for patients. One crucial step in this process involves the stock abutment scanning, a procedure that, when executed properly, can significantly streamline the workflow between dental clinics and laboratories. This blog post provides a detailed walk through on how to effectively scan a stock abutment and share the data with your lab, ensuring a smooth transition from implant placement to the final crown restoration.
Understanding the Role of the Abutment in Dental Implants
Before diving into the scanning process, it’s essential to grasp the function of the implant abutment.
This metal connector plays a pivotal role in dental restorations by linking the implant embedded in the jawbone to the crown that mimics the appearance of a natural tooth. The abutment screws into the implant and serves as a stable foundation for the crown, securing it in place.
Traditionally, a scan body is utilized to convey the precise location and orientation of the implant to the dental laboratory. However, in cases where the margin of the abutment is clearly visible and accessible, a direct scan of the abutment offers a simpler and equally effective alternative.
Step-by-Step Guide to Scanning the Stock Abutment
Scanning the stock abutment is a straightforward process that can be broken down into a series of simple steps:
- Start a New Case:
Begin by logging into your Medit Link account. Create a new case by entering the necessary patient and case information, then proceed to register and initiate the scanning process.
- Prepare for Scanning:
Select the specific teeth involved in the restoration, specifying that the restoration type is a crown and choosing the appropriate temporary material and shade.
- Scanning Process:
- Scan the Antagonist: First, capture the opposing dental arch to the one receiving the implant. This ensures the restoration fits harmoniously within the patient’s bite.
- Scan the Implanted Arch: With the abutment securely in place, scan the arch where the implant has been placed. This step captures the abutment’s precise position and form.
- Occlusion Scan: Have the patient close their bite to scan the occlusion, establishing how the upper and lower teeth meet when the mouth is closed.
- Finalize and Export:
Once the scanning is complete, save your work. In the File Viewer tab, prepare the scanned data for export. This step converts the scan into a format suitable for laboratory use, facilitating the design and fabrication of the crown.
Communicating with Your Lab
When sending the scan data to your lab, it’s critical to include information about the specific abutment used in the procedure. This allows the lab technicians to match the scanned abutment with their library of abutments, ensuring the CAD crown design aligns perfectly with the actual hardware. Clear communication between the dental clinic and the lab is essential for a seamless restoration process, minimizing the need for adjustments and revisions.
Conclusion: Enhancing Dental Restoration Workflows
The ability to directly scan the stock abutment and share this data with your laboratory is more than a mere convenience; it’s a process improvement that enhances the overall efficiency of dental restorations. By adopting this straightforward scanning technique, dental professionals can ensure that the final crown is not only aesthetically pleasing but also precisely tailored to fit the patient’s implant, leading to improved outcomes and patient satisfaction.
In the rapidly advancing field of digital dentistry, embracing such efficient workflows is key to staying competitive and providing the highest standard of care. By streamlining the abutment scanning process, clinics and labs alike can work together more effectively, delivering quality restorations that stand the test of time.
