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ANSWERS

How do labs assess occlusion?

Labs assess occlusion through articulated models or digital bite scans, evaluating maximum intercuspation, centric relation, and excursive movements. At Dani Dental, every case enters a digital articulator workflow where the technician verifies bite registration against opposing scans, flags discrepancies over 0.2mm...

THE SHORT ANSWER

Labs assess occlusion through articulated models or digital bite scans, evaluating maximum intercuspation, centric relation, and excursive movements. At Dani Dental, every case enters a digital articulator workflow where the technician verifies bite registration against opposing scans, flags discrepancies over 0.2mm...

THE FULL PICTURE

Why it works this way

The two-track workflow: analog mounting and digital articulation

Occlusal assessment at a dental lab follows one of two tracks, often both on the same case. Analog mounting uses a semi-adjustable articulator (Whip Mix 2240 or Panadent are the common references) with a facebow transfer and centric relation record. Digital articulation imports the intraoral scan, opposing scan, and bite registration into CAD software (exocad, 3Shape Dental System, or DentalCAD) where the technician simulates jaw movement against the prep design. Dani Dental runs the digital track on roughly 87% of incoming cases as of the 2026 case-mix audit, with analog mounting reserved for complex full-mouth rehabilitation and full-arch implant cases where mounted models still earn their keep.

RELATED QUESTIONS

More on this topic

Do I need to send a facebow transfer with every case?
No. Facebow transfers add value on full-mouth rehabilitation, full-arch implant cases, and any case where occlusal vertical dimension is being changed. For single-unit crowns and short-span bridges where the opposing dentition is stable and the bite is repeatable, an accurate bite registration paired with opposing scans is sufficient. Dani Dental will request a facebow if the case mix warrants it; we will not ask for one on a posterior single crown.
What bite registration material do you prefer for digital cases?
For analog impressions plus digital workflow, a fast-set PVS bite material (Blu-Mousse, Futar D, or similar) shot in maximum intercuspation gives the cleanest scan. For full digital cases, intraoral scanner bite captures taken with the patient closing into MI without guidance are accurate enough for single units and short-span bridges. Avoid double-arch trays for any case involving more than two units; the tray flex introduces errors the lab cannot correct downstream.
How does Dani Dental flag a bad bite before milling?
The technician on the case checks the bite registration against the upper and opposing scans in CAD before any material is cut. If the registration disagrees with the seated scans by more than 0.2mm, or if the bite shows contacts inconsistent with the prep design, the case pauses and the technician calls the referring doctor that day. Roughly 4-6% of incoming cases get flagged; catching them pre-mill is how the remake rate stays where it is.

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