How to send digital scans to a dental lab
A step-by-step guide to sending intraoral scans (STL, PLY, OBJ) to a dental laboratory online, avoiding the most common file and prescription mistakes.
ReadImplant design laboratories
Implant restorations leave the least room for error in a digital workflow: the scan body has to be recognised correctly, the library has to match the implant system, and the emergence profile has to be designed for the tissue you actually have.
The laboratories here design implant crowns, custom abutments, screw-retained restorations and bars remotely. Tell them the implant system and connection in the enquiry, and they will confirm library compatibility with the quote.
What to look for
- Confirmation that they hold the library for your implant system
- Experience with screw-retained and cement-retained designs
- Custom abutment and emergence-profile work in the portfolio
- A design-approval step before manufacture
- Clear pricing and revision policy
How it works on LabMatch
- 1. Upload your scans and describe the case in a private workspace.
- 2. Receive a written quote before any work starts.
- 3. Review the design and ask for adjustments.
- 4. Pay the quoted amount and download the final files.
Accounts are free for dentists and laboratories. LabMatch keeps 10% of a paid case; the laboratory receives 90%.
Create a free accountFrequently asked questions
What do I need to send for an implant design?
A full-arch scan with the scan body in place, the opposing arch, the bite, and the exact implant system, diameter and connection. Soft-tissue or emergence-profile scans help for anterior cases.
Can a remote laboratory design custom abutments?
Yes. Custom abutments, screw-retained crowns and bars are all designed digitally. Manufacture is then done by the laboratory or by a milling centre you nominate.
How much does it cost to use LabMatch?
Accounts are free for dentists and for laboratories. The dentist pays the amount the laboratory quotes — there is no surcharge. LabMatch retains a 10% commission on paid cases and the laboratory receives 90%.
Can I work with a laboratory in another country?
Yes. Every case runs remotely: scans, photos and prescriptions are uploaded to a private case workspace, and the finished design is downloaded there after payment. Physical location is optional for a laboratory.
Which file formats can I send?
STL, PLY, OBJ, DICOM, JPG, PNG and PDF are supported. Most intraoral scanners export STL as a minimum; PLY and OBJ additionally carry colour, which helps with margin lines and shade communication.
Related guides
How to choose a dental lab for CAD/CAM restorations
The practical criteria for picking a digital dental laboratory: portfolio, turnaround, pricing model, communication and remakes policy.
ReadWhat does digital dental design cost?
How laboratories price digital design work: per unit vs per case, rush surcharges, and how to compare quotes fairly.
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