How to send digital scans to a dental lab

Sending a case to a dental laboratory no longer means couriers and impression trays. With an intraoral scanner and a remote lab, a case can be on a designer's screen the same day. This guide covers the practical steps — and the mistakes that most often delay a case.

1. Export the right files

Most scanners export STL, PLY or OBJ. STL is the universal minimum; PLY and OBJ can carry colour and texture, which helps with margin lines and shade communication. Check that both arches and the bite scan are included before you send anything.

On LabMatch you upload these files directly into a private case workspace. The lab sees exactly what you uploaded, nothing is lost in email threads, and there is no file-size limit imposed by an email provider.

2. Write a clear prescription

A good scan with a vague prescription still produces a remake. State the material, shade, margin design, contact preference and occlusal scheme you want. If the lab offers a design questionnaire, fill it in completely — it replaces the old paper lab ticket.

• Tooth number and restoration type
• Material (e.g. zirconia, lithium disilicate, PMMA)
• Shade and characterisation notes
• Occlusion and contact preferences
• Delivery deadline and whether the case is a rush

3. Confirm the quote before design starts

With a remote marketplace you receive a written quote before any work begins. On LabMatch the dentist pays the quoted amount when the design is ready; the payment unlocks the final design files for download. You never pay for work you have not approved.

4. Review the design before production

Digital delivery means you can open the design in any STL viewer, check margins, contacts and emergence profiles, and ask for adjustments before anything is milled or printed. This review step is the single biggest quality advantage of a digital workflow.