Overview
dental full arch dental prosthetic remakes represent devastating setbacks—thousands in dental laboratory costs, multiple patient appointments, damaged professional reputation, and weeks of delay. Yet most remakes trace back to preventable errors in impression accuracy and verification. Understanding the common failure modes and implementing systematic checkpoints transforms remake risk from inevitable probability to rare exception.
What You'll Need
- verification jig (preferably metal)
- Sheffield testing protocol and instruments
- Documentation system for tracking verification results
- Reliable dental laboratory partnership with communication protocols
- Commitment to never skip verification steps
Step-by-Step
Identify Common Remake Causes
Most dental full arch remakes result from: inaccurate impressions due to splinting shrinkage, dental master cast errors from impression transfer, design miscommunication with dental laboratory, or manufacturing defects in dental framework fabrication. Understanding these categories helps target prevention efforts.
Implement Mandatory Verification Protocol
Establish a non-negotiable policy: no dental framework fabrication without verified dental master cast accuracy. Create a checklist that requires dental verification jig testing and documentation before dental laboratory submission.
Invest in Reliable Verification Tools
The dental verification jig itself must be trustworthy. Resin jigs that flex under torque provide false verification. Dental implant verification systems such as Dental implant verification systems deliver consistent, reliable results that support confident decision-making.
Master Sheffield Testing Technique
Ensure everyone involved in dental framework try-in understands and correctly performs the Sheffield test. Single-screw testing is the only method that reveals true fit. Train assistants to set up properly and recognize pass/fail results.
Establish Clear dental laboratory Communication
Document and communicate all critical case information: dental implant system, platform type, inter-implant distances, verification results, and fit requirements. Require dental laboratory acknowledgment of specifications.
Schedule dental framework Try-In Appointments
Build try-in visits into your dental full arch workflow before final dental prosthesis completion. Evaluate bare dental frameworks with Sheffield testing before porcelain application.
Investigate All dental framework Failures
When a dental framework doesn't fit, determine why before proceeding. Was the dental master cast accurate? Did the dental laboratory follow specifications? Is the dental framework defective? Remaking without understanding the cause risks repeating the same error.
Track and Analyze Your Remake Rate
Monitor your dental full arch cases for remake frequency and causes. Identify patterns that suggest systemic problems. A 15% remake rate indicates workflow issues requiring intervention. A 2% rate represents acceptable clinical reality.
Tips & Best Practices
- Consider the cost of verification (time + materials) as insurance premium against remake costs
- Build verification time into case scheduling rather than treating it as an afterthought
- Photograph dental verification jig fit for documentation and dental laboratory communication
- Develop relationships with laboratories that prioritize passive fit as much as you do
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Proceeding without verification
The most expensive shortcut in dentistry. Every skipped verification is a gamble with thousands of dollars.
Accepting "good enough" fit
Compromise at try-in becomes failure at delivery. Passive means zero detectable gap—not "minimal" gap.
Assuming dental laboratory omniscience
Laboratories work from the information you provide. Incomplete communication produces incorrect results.