ANSWERS

How is anatomy designed in CAD?

Anatomy in CAD starts from a digital impression (intraoral scan or scanned model) imported into design software like exocad or 3Shape Dental System. The technician sets the margin line, insertion axis, and proximal contacts, then drops a tooth library matched to the case, sculpts occlusion against the opposing arch,...

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Why it works this way

The starting file

Every CAD design at Dani Dental begins with an STL or PLY mesh, either from a chairside intraoral scanner (iTero, Trios, Medit, Primescan) or from a model we scan in-house on a 7Series desktop scanner. The technician opens the case in exocad or 3Shape Dental System, aligns the upper and lower arches in occlusion, and confirms the bite registration matches the prescription.

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What CAD software does Dani Dental use?

Dani's design floor runs on exocad and 3Shape Dental System, the two platforms covering the majority of lab-side CAD work in North America. We use exocad for most crown, bridge, and custom abutment design, and 3Shape for full-arch implant planning and removable frameworks. Both integrate with our in-house mills (roland, vhf) and SLA printers. Files from any major intraoral scanner (iTero, Trios, Medit, Primescan, Carestream) import natively, no conversion step required.

Can I request specific anatomy or send a reference photo?

Yes. Send a contralateral photo, a smile photo, or a wax-up scan with the case and the CAD tech will match it. For anterior cases especially, we recommend a high-resolution photo of the adjacent or contralateral tooth under shade-matching light. The designing technician's direct line ships with every case, so if the reference needs clarification mid-design, the conversation happens in minutes instead of a day-late email thread.

How long does CAD design take per unit?

A single posterior crown design runs 15 to 25 minutes of active CAD time. An anterior crown with custom anatomy and surface texture runs 30 to 45 minutes. A three-unit bridge runs about an hour. Full-arch implant cases (All-on-X) run 3 to 6 hours of CAD across planning, provisional design, and final prosthetic design. These are bench times, not turnaround times, since the case still has to mill, finish, and ship.

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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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