Dental Model
A dental model is a physical or digital replica of a patient's teeth and oral tissues, created from an impression and used as a reference for fabricating dental prosthetics.
Dental models (also called casts or dies) are fundamental tools in dental laboratory work.
**Types of dental models:**
*Physical models:* - **Plaster/stone models** — poured from traditional impressions - **3D printed models** — created from digital scan data - **Die models** — removable individual tooth preparations
*Digital models:* - **STL mesh models** — from intraoral scanners - **CAD design models** — in dental design software
**Uses in the lab:** - Reference for prosthetic fabrication - Checking margins and fit - Articulator mounting for occlusion analysis - Patient communication and treatment planning - Records and legal documentation
**3D printed models workflow:** 1. Receive digital scan (STL file) 2. Process in model design software 3. Orient and add supports 4. 3D print on ResinCast printer 5. Post-process (wash, cure) 6. Use for prosthetic fabrication
Dentaron tracks models as part of the impression or transfer workflow, linking the digital file to the physical production record.
Related: dental-impression, stl-file, 3d-printing-dentistry, dental-prosthetics