Technicians do not have the opportunity of working directly with the patient, and therefore rely on the specification and details provided by the dentist. The more information given to the technician the more likely the result will meet or exceed the patients and dentists expectations.

However many prescriptions lack important details such as the patients age, sex and personality. Length of anteriors, position of insisal edge, anterior guidance, long axis alignment and direction of the labial anatomy including lip line are all key details unique to each patient and necessary for the technician to achieve the best possible results.

Pre-op photos are a very useful tool, and often necessary in complicated cases and with today’s technology it’s even easier for clients to send images of patient cases to us. Many Dentists send us pictures quick and simply via their iphones or android phones.. These sharp and vivid pictures are forwarded to the Technician’s own phone, who can easily consult the image during production of the restoration.

While photos are extremely useful for characterisation, pre-op studies are vital, as we have a physical model from which to take measurements, something that cannot be gauged from photos alone. So we request that we are provided with a study model or pre-op impression for all large and anterior cases.

It is not only the prescription that needs to be a full and detailed as possible. It is crucial the impression itself is totally accurate. Many single unit restorations, and often bridges too, are presented as quadrant impressions. Although quadrant impressions may entail less cost in terms of impression material, they do not allow the technician to recreate the full function of the patients jaw.

Under filled or twisted trays are also major concerns for technicians. Separate full arch impressions for both lower and upper jaws and foam bite registrations are advisable for all restorations and absolutely vital for large cases, and cases with unusual or hard bites.