Figure 1: Knowing which scan body is accepted by your laboratory should be the first step in your workflow. Glidewell accepts Hahn™ Titanium Scan Bodies and Inclusive^® Titanium Scan Bodies (Glidewell Direct; Irvine, Calif.), which are available for most major implant systems. These scan bodies feature a single length, contours that improve digital imaging, and a roughened surface that makes it easier to scan for both anterior and posterior sites, providing a detailed, accurate digital impression for the lab.

Figure 3: Completely seating the scan body is crucial. If the scan body is not properly seated during the impression process, the final crown restoration will not seat either. To start, the scan body is screwed into the implant connection, taking the place of the healing abutment or provisional. It should only be hand-tightened and not torqued in. I recommend seating the scan body immediately after removing the healing abutment or provisional to avoid impinging the soft tissue, which can collapse quickly. Additionally, it’s important to radiographically confirm that the scan body is fully seated. By taking the time to verify the scan body is fully seated, you reduce the chances of capturing an inaccurate impression.

Figures 4a, 4b: It is necessary for the scan body to be in place when you scan the implant site. However, during the arch scan, you may replace it with the healing abutment or provisional. Before taking both scans, be sure to fully dry the hard- and soft-tissue surfaces. While performing the scan, don’t forget to include all the surrounding soft tissue, adjacent teeth, contacts, occluding surfaces and the scan body geometry itself. Taking the time to thoroughly scan the surrounding tissue and dentition will make the merging of the implant site and arch scans possible.

Figure 5: Before continuing to the bite scan, remove the scan body if you haven’t already, and replace it with a healing abutment or provisional. Guide the patient to fully bite down. Otherwise, the scan body may interfere and occlusal discrepancies can occur, which will make it difficult for the lab to accurately create the restoration. As shown here, guide the patient into their maximum intercuspal position and capture the bite. You may see the scan body protruding from opposing dentition. This is normal as it results from the implant site and arch scans merging with the bite scan.

Figure 6: When reviewing your scans, use your scanner’s “model” or “stone” mode instead of the “color” mode. This way, you are seeing the scans exactly how the lab will see them before they fabricate your restoration. Additionally, in the stone mode it can be easier to visualize extra or grainy data capture.

Figure 7: Look for abnormalities in the scan such as a curved or distorted scan body, missing contacts, an incorrect bite or saliva contamination. If the scan appears grainy, be sure to completely dry your patient’s mouth and rescan the area of interest.

Figure 8: To get the highest quality scan, take your time and scan the surrounding dentition. Avoid using your scanner’s “auto-fill” feature, as it can generate an inaccurate rendering. In this scan, the contact area of the adjacent tooth was missing. While “auto-fill” closed the missing data, it provided an inaccurate representation of the contact.

Figures 10a, 10b: Moisture will cause distortions in your digital impression, so be sure to repeatedly dry the surfaces prior to scanning to avoid these distortions. If you have followed the appropriate steps and carefully reviewed the scans at every stage, you will have clear and accurate impressions ready for the lab.

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