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ANSWERS

What is digital case planning?

Digital case planning is the lab-and-clinician workflow that uses intraoral scans, CBCT data, and CAD software to map a restorative or implant case before any physical fabrication starts. The clinician submits scans, the lab technician overlays the prosthetic plan onto the bone anatomy, and both sides approve the de...

THE SHORT ANSWER

Digital case planning is the lab-and-clinician workflow that uses intraoral scans, CBCT data, and CAD software to map a restorative or implant case before any physical fabrication starts. The clinician submits scans, the lab technician overlays the prosthetic plan onto the bone anatomy, and both sides approve the de...

THE FULL PICTURE

Why it works this way

What digital case planning actually is

Digital case planning is the front-end of a modern lab workflow. The clinician captures an intraoral scan (iTero, Trios, or Medit) and, for implant cases, a CBCT volume. Those files move to the lab, where a CAD technician aligns the prosthetic design with the surgical anatomy inside planning software like exocad, 3Shape Implant Studio, or Blue Sky Plan. Nothing gets milled, printed, or pressed until the clinician signs off on the digital design. The 2024 ADA Health Policy Institute survey reported that 71% of US dentists now own an intraoral scanner, up from 47% in 2019, which is the adoption curve that made this workflow the default for implant and full-arch work.

RELATED QUESTIONS

More on this topic

Do I need a CBCT for every digital case plan?
No. CBCT is required for implant planning and surgical guide design because the lab needs to see bone volume and nerve position. For Crown & Bridge, inlays, onlays, veneers, and most removables, an intraoral scan and clinical photographs are enough. The lab will tell you on case intake whether the file set is complete or whether additional imaging is needed before design starts.
How long does the planning step add to turnaround?
For a single-unit crown, design and approval typically run inside 24 hours and do not extend overall turnaround. For a full-arch implant case with a surgical guide, planning adds 3 to 5 business days on the front end because of the screen-share review and any revision rounds. That time is recovered on the back end through fewer chairside adjustments at seat and delivery appointments.
Who approves the digital plan, the clinician or the lab?
The clinician approves. The lab technician proposes the design based on the scans, CBCT, and prescription, but the prosthetic position, occlusion, emergence profile, and shade are all clinical decisions. Dani Dental sends the proposed design back for written or live approval before any fabrication starts. Nothing mills until the clinician signs off, which is the documented checkpoint that protects against remakes.

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

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