FAQ
How do labs verify occlusion?
A straight answer first, then the context behind it, from the technicians who do the work.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Labs verify occlusion through a combination of articulated stone models, digital occlusal analysis software, and shimstock foil checks before the case ships. High-volume digital labs add virtual articulator simulation during the CAD phase, catching premature contacts before any milling begins. Final verification happens chairside, but a well-executed lab workflow eliminates most occlusal adjustments before the restoration ever leaves the lab.
THE CONTEXT
What sits behind it
The verification sequence starts in the design phase. When a dentist submits a full intraoral scan with opposing arch and bite registration, the CAD technician mounts the case in a virtual articulator, checking excursive movements and centric stops against the patient's recorded occlusal scheme. Catching a premature contact at this stage costs nothing. Catching it at the cementation appointment costs the dentist 20-40 minutes of chair time and risks patient confidence in the restoration.
For implant cases and full-arch reconstructions, occlusal verification carries even more weight. A single high contact on a screw-retained All-on-X prosthetic can fracture acrylic or, worse, apply off-axis load to an implant fixture. At Dani Dental, every full-arch case is reviewed against the mounted opposing model before final finish, and the assigned technician documents the occlusal scheme with the case so the delivering dentist has a reference at seating.
Prosthodontists and general dentists restoring implant cases should request documentation of the lab's occlusal verification protocol before committing to a workflow. Key questions: does the lab use a virtual articulator in CAD, do they ship with a contacts report, and what is their remake policy when an occlusal adjustment exceeds 0.5 mm? Those three answers tell you whether the lab treats occlusion as a design discipline or an afterthought.
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How do labs verify occlusion?
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