ANSWERS

How do labs handle occlusion?

Dental labs handle occlusion by mounting models on a semi-adjustable articulator (or a virtual articulator in digital workflows), referencing the bite registration, facebow record, and centric relation provided by the dentist. The technician then adjusts contact points, anterior guidance, and lateral excursions befo...

THE SHORT ANSWER

THE FULL PICTURE

Why it works this way

The records the lab needs from the chair

Occlusion handling starts before the case ever reaches the bench. The lab needs a verified bite registration, opposing impression or scan, and (for full-arch or anterior esthetic cases) a facebow record or digital equivalent. Without those three inputs the technician is guessing at maximum intercuspation, and a guess at the lab becomes a 20-minute adjustment in the chair. Dani Dental rejects roughly 4% of inbound cases per month for inadequate bite records, and the technician on the case calls the practice the same day to request a re-take.

More on this topic

What bite record does the lab actually need?

For a single crown, a polyvinyl siloxane bite registration in maximum intercuspation is sufficient if the opposing impression or scan is accurate. For multi-unit cases, the lab needs centric relation records plus a facebow transfer (or digital equivalent). For full-arch reconstruction or TMJ-history cases, Dani Dental requests CR records, facebow, and condylar guidance values. Sending a wax bite alone for anything beyond a single posterior crown almost guarantees an in-chair adjustment.

How does digital occlusion handling differ from analog?

Digital workflows use a virtual articulator inside the CAD software (exocad, 3Shape, DentalCAD) that simulates condylar movement based on numerical guidance values rather than a physical condylar housing. The accuracy depends on the intraoral scan quality and whether patient-specific condylar settings were sent. Digital is faster and reproducible across technicians. Analog still wins for complex full-arch cases where the technician needs to feel the bite. Dani Dental runs both depending on case complexity.

Why do crowns sometimes come back high even when the lab checked occlusion?

Three reasons usually. First, the bite registration captured a protrusive or lateral position instead of true maximum intercuspation. Second, the opposing scan or impression had a void or distortion the lab couldn't see. Third, the patient's occlusion shifted between the impression appointment and the seat appointment (common after extractions or with bruxism). Dani Dental's technicians flag suspect bite records before fabrication, but some shifts only show up in the chair.

GO DEEPER

Read the full guide on all procedures

This answer is one piece of a larger workflow. The pillar page covers materials, turnaround, and how we build the case to your specification.

Read the guide

REQUEST A DOCTOR KIT

Try the work before you switch.

Request a Doctor Kit and we'll mail RX pads, a shade guide, and pre-paid shipping for your first three cases. No call, no contract.

Request a Doctor Kit Talk to a technician