26/11/2025
✅ Most Common Clinical & Digital Mistakes That Cause Lab Issues
1. Poor or Incomplete Impressions / Scans
• Incomplete margins
• Missing distal surfaces
• Collapsed soft tissue
• Moisture contamination
• Scan stitching errors
• Not retracting enough for clear margin exposure
2. Unclear or Inaccurate Margins
• Margins not visible due to blood, saliva, or poor retraction
• Over-aggressive chamfer or uneven margins
• No confirmation of margin clarity before sending
3. Missing or Inaccurate Bite Registrations
• No opposing arch
• Inaccurate bite scan
• Taking only one occlusal record
• Patient biting incorrectly during the scan
4. Poor Communication With the Lab
• No shade photo
• No prep shade
• No instructions on material preference
• Vague or missing design expectations (shape, length, contours)
• Sending messages at the fit appointment instead of during planning
5. No Diagnostic Wax-Up / Blueprint
• Sending “prep and pray” cases
• Expecting the lab to guess the esthetic outcome
• Not providing smile design references
6. Incorrect Case Classification or Planning
• Misidentifying implant case type
• Not describing occlusal scheme
• Attempting complex cases without proper documentation
• Not informing the lab about pathological occlusal issues
7. Bad Photos or Not Enough Photos
• Poor lighting
• Wrong angulation
• No shade tab alignment
• No full-face smile photos when needed
8. Poor Prep Design
• Insufficient clearance
• Under-reduction or uneven reduction
• Sharp edges instead of smooth transitions
• Heavy bevels or unsupported enamel
9. Not Following Photogrammetry or Implant Scanning Protocols
• Incorrect order of scans
• Missing soft-tissue scan
• Improper alignment of scan bodies
• Wrong scan body brand entered
10. Rushing or Skipping Verification
• Not reviewing scans before sending
• Assuming “the lab will fix it”
• Not double-checking STL files for artifacts
🧩 Bottom Line
You don’t need cheaper labs —
you need cleaner data, clearer communication, and proper planning.
