How to Take Accurate Digital Intraoral Scans

A digital intraoral scan is only as good as the technique behind it. A rushed or incomplete scan means missing margins, distorted contacts, and a restoration that doesn't fit the way it should, which usually means a call to your lab before the case can even start. A careful, consistent scan can mean faster turnaround, fewer remakes, and better communication with the lab fabricating your case.

In this guide, we'll cover how an intraoral scanner actually works, how to capture a consistently accurate intraoral scan, and a few common mistakes worth avoiding along the way.

How Does an Intraoral Scanner Work?

An intraoral dental scanner uses a handheld wand to project light onto the teeth and surrounding tissue, capturing thousands of data points as it moves. That data gets stitched together in real time into a 3D digital model you can view right on screen as you scan.

Here's the part that matters most for your lab: whatever gets captured on screen is exactly what your lab receives. There's no physical impression to double-check or re-pour later. If a margin didn't get captured clearly, or an area got missed, that gap travels straight into the file your technician is working from.

If you're still deciding which scanner is the right fit for your practice, our guide to choosing an intraoral scanner breaks down what to look for.

How to Take an Accurate Digital Intraoral Scan

To get a usable digital intraoral scan, you’ll need to follow a consistent process every time so that you capture complete, accurate data on the first pass instead of rescanning later. Here's how to approach it step by step.

1. Prepare the Patient and Scanning Area

Before you even pick up the wand, set yourself up for a clean scan:

• Control moisture with retraction cord, cotton rolls, or a dry field, since saliva and fluid can distort the scan surface
• Ensure good visibility of the prep and surrounding teeth
• Manage soft tissue so it doesn't obstruct margins or interproximal areas
• Confirm lighting and positioning before you start

A few extra seconds of setup here saves a lot of time later. Good prep is the foundation of any reliable intraoral scanning technique.

2. Follow a Consistent Scanning Path

Jumping around the arch, or constantly changing angles, is one of the fastest ways to end up with a scan full of gaps and stitching errors. Instead:

• Move the scanner in a deliberate, consistent sequence across the arch
• Maintain a steady orientation and distance from the teeth
• Capture plenty of overlapping data as you go so the software can stitch the model together accurately

Knowing how to use intraoral scanner technology well comes down to repetition. Once you settle on a scanning path that works, stick with it for every case.

3. Capture Margins and Critical Details

This is where most clinically significant scan errors happen. Make sure your scan clearly captures:

• Preparation margins, fully and without ambiguity
• Proximal areas and contact points
• Adjacent and opposing teeth for context

Incomplete data here doesn't just slow your lab down. It can require additional scans or clarification before your technician can move forward, potentially delaying the case.

4. Capture an Accurate Bite Scan

Occlusal information matters just as much as the prep itself. Before you close out the scan:

• Capture a clear bite registration in maximum intercuspation
• Check the digital bite alignment on screen before finishing

A bite that looks "close enough" on screen can translate into real occlusal discrepancies once the restoration is seated. Take the extra few seconds to confirm it.

5. Review the Scan Before Sending It to the Lab

Before you hit submit, do a final pass over the model:

• Look for any missing or thin areas of data
• Check that margins are clearly visible and continuous
• Scan for stitching errors or irregular surfaces
• Confirm the bite registration looks accurate

Catching an issue here takes a minute. Catching it after the case has already started at the lab costs you a lot more.

Intraoral Scanning Tips for More Predictable Results

A few quick habits that make a noticeable difference over time:

• Keep the field as dry as possible throughout the entire scan, not just at the start
• Move the scanner smoothly and avoid sudden direction changes
• Pay extra attention to difficult-to-capture areas like the distal of second molars and tight interproximal spaces
• Resist the urge to rescan an entire arch for one small gap. Most software lets you capture just the missing section
• Always do a final visual review before sending the case

These tips may seem simple, but they're the difference between a scan your lab can work with immediately and one that needs a follow-up call. For more guidance on choosing the right equipment to support these habits, take a look at our guide to the best intraoral scanners.

Common Intraoral Scanning Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced teams fall into these patterns. Here's what to watch for:

• Moisture contamination. Saliva or fluid on the scan surface creates inaccurate or distorted data. Isolate thoroughly before you start.
• Incomplete margins. A margin that's partially captured leaves your lab guessing. Slow down and confirm full margin capture.
• Inconsistent scanner movement. Erratic motion creates gaps and stitching errors. Stick to a deliberate, repeatable path.
• Missing interproximal data. Tight contacts are easy to under-capture. Angle the wand carefully to get a clean view.
• Inaccurate bite capture. A rushed bite scan can lead directly to occlusal discrepancies at seating. Always verify it on screen.
• Skipping the final review. One of the easiest ways to reduce callbacks from your lab is to review the scan before you send it.

Every one of these issues ties back to the same thing: the quality of the information your lab receives. A clean digital intraoral scan sets your case up for success before it ever reaches a technician's desk.

Make Digital Cases Easier With the Right Lab Partner

Technique matters, but so does who's on the other end of that scan. Good lab communication means your technician can flag a potential issue before it becomes a problem, instead of after the restoration is already milled.

If your practice is considering making the switch to digital, or upgrading your current setup, PRO-Craft's Free iTero Digital Scanner Program is worth a look. Qualifying practices get a 30-day, no-obligation trial, free training, and ongoing support, so you can get comfortable with a quality intraoral dental scanner before committing to anything.

Improve Your Digital Intraoral Scanning Workflow

A consistently accurate digital intraoral scan comes down to a few fundamentals: proper preparation, a consistent scanning technique, complete data capture, and a final review before you submit. None of these steps take much extra time, but skipping any one of them can turn a quick scan into a delayed case or an avoidable remake.

Want more resources to help tighten up your digital workflow? Download PRO-Craft's Free Dental Practice Starter Kit for practical tools built to support smoother case submissions and a more predictable restorative process.

FAQ's

How Accurate Are Digital Intraoral Scans?

When captured correctly, digital intraoral scan technology can produce highly accurate 3D models that may offer accuracy comparable to traditional impressions, depending on the clinical application. Accuracy depends heavily on technique, including moisture control, scanning path, and complete margin capture, so the scanner itself is only part of the equation.

What Is the Best Intraoral Scanning Technique?

The best intraoral scanning technique follows a consistent, deliberate path across the arch, captures ample overlapping data, and prioritizes margins, proximal areas, and bite registration before finishing. Rushing through a scan is one of the most common ways accuracy breaks down.

What Should You Check Before Sending an Intraoral Scan to a Dental Lab?

Before submitting, review the scan for missing or thin data, confirm margins are fully and clearly captured, check for stitching errors, and verify the bite registration looks accurate on screen. A quick review before submission can prevent a delayed case or an unnecessary rescan request from your lab.