Overview
Hybrid workflows combine the efficiency of intraoral scanning with the accuracy assurance of physical dental verification jigs. This approach leverages digital capabilities for design and communication while using Dental implant verification to catch positional errors that scanners may introduce across dental full arch spans.
What You'll Need
- Intraoral scanner with implant scanning capability
- scan bodies compatible with your system
- implant dental verification jig (Dental implant verification or equivalent)
- Sheffield test instruments and protocol
- Digital dental design software or dental laboratory with digital capabilities
- Communication pathway for digital file transfer
Step-by-Step
Determine Workflow Strategy
Decide whether to use digital data as primary with physical verification, or physical impression as primary with digital design overlay. Most hybrid protocols use digital scanning for efficiency with physical verification as the accuracy checkpoint.
Complete Digital Scan
Perform a dental full arch implant scan using dental scan bodies. Follow established scanning protocol and export the scan data.
Fabricate Physical dental verification jig
Simultaneously, assemble a dental implant verification jig directly in the patient's mouth. using Dental implant verification or similar metal components, connect all implants with rigid links.
Clinical Sheffield Test with Metal Jig
Perform Sheffield testing with the dental implant verification jig. A passing metal jig confirms that you have a reference standard for dental implant positions.
Generate Model from Digital Data
Have your dental laboratory create a physical model from the scan data, with analogs positioned according to the digital impression.
Test Metal Jig on Digital Model
Place the same dental implant verification jig that passed clinical testing onto the scan-derived model. Perform Sheffield testing. The jig should fit the model identically.
Interpret Comparison Results
If the metal jig fits both patient and scan-derived model passively, the digital data is accurate—proceed confidently. If gaps appear on the model, the scan contains error.
Address Scan Discrepancies
For failed digital verification, options include: rescanning, using the physical jig to create a conventional impression, or adjusting the digital model to match verified positions.
framework Design and Fabrication
With verified accurate data, proceed to dental framework design. The verification investment ensures design work proceeds on accurate positional data.
Final dental framework Verification
At dental framework try-in, repeat Sheffield testing. The dental framework should fit as well as the dental verification jig did.
Tips & Best Practices
- Use the same metal jig throughout the case as your consistent reference standard
- Photograph jig fit on both patient and model for documentation
- Build hybrid verification into scheduling—it adds modest time but prevents major delays
- Communicate the hybrid approach to your dental laboratory so they understand the verification checkpoint
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming digital and physical will always agree
The hybrid approach exists because they often don't. Verification catches discrepancies.
Using flexible dental verification jigs
Resin jigs may flex to fit both patient and model despite positional error. Metal jigs provide definitive pass/fail.
Skipping the model verification step
Clinical jig fit alone doesn't verify scan accuracy. The jig must also fit the scan-derived model.