Just sharing my experience here….. For last couple of months I’ve been testing this workflow to see if it will work for me…I’m a one man lab so I do everything from models, design and finish. (I outsource the milling) I’m using a Medit scanner ( with a 3-axis arm.) With that and their scanning software, it’s excellent at scanning impressions. Then designing In Exocad and using the Model Creator module for the printed models. (I’m also outsourcing the models, for now…)
I had to figure out how to print models from most of scenarios given to me from each client.
Scenario 1: IOS scan, duh, Obviously a no brainer for printing a model
Scenario 2: Triple tray impression. The 3-axis arm will do upper + lower + bite in 6 minutes., then design restoration/model, done.
Scenario 3: Rigid tray impression (quad or full arch) and an opposing model + bite or bite impression tray. There is a scanning strategy to do all of this and align in the Medit software as well. ( just takes an extra few minutes for the bite tray) If the bite is not in a tray I just mount it in one to put in the 3-axis arm. Scan, align, design restoration/model done.
Scenario 4: Upper + lower single tray impressions + bite tray ( or bite, just mount in a tray.) Scan, align, design restoration/model, done.
(Obviously with 3 & 4, you need some kind of bite. I have eventually talked most to send me a bite tray impression so I don’t have to mount it in a tray for scanning.)
Scenario 5: Implant impressions …these are the only ones I’m still pouring for now as there is no scan strategy yet for this. We need some sort of “reverse” scan marker to mount on the impression post + a library to match in the design software. I’m sure eventually someone will come up with something…
So far it’s working pretty good! I’m only pouring implant impressions....no remakes and no complaints on marginal fits. (Had some high bite complaints in the beginning from the usual suspects, lol) but have compensated in the design phase for them and all’s good.
All in all it is actually saving me time as I’m “dialing” it in. (Plus, I hate pouring models!!)
The models I design are simple, basically solid ( hollow) with no removable dies. A “crown holder” of sorts, lol… to check contacts and occlusion (like a solid pour)
As mentioned numerous times modeless would be an ultimate goal, but some guys just like to have something “traditional” to look at in their hand…
I’m looking at printers now, and have a test model that I have sent out to a bunch of printer companies. So, I’m ready to buy one of them fancy model pourin’ technician machines!! Just waiting for that “new” one to come out , Glenn
Larry