How to Process Temporary Crowns and Bridges before Printing?
In the Primer tutorial "What to Do Before Model Preparation in CHITUBOX Dental?", we have detailed the initial setup steps after logging in to the software, including printer and material selection, print parameter configuration, and model import. This article will introduce pre-print processing techniques for temporary crowns and bridges, covering considerations for both automated and manual workflows.
If you want to learn about processing techniques for orthodontic models, working models, or surgical guides, click the corresponding links to jump to the relevant articles.
Temporary Crowns & Bridges
Temporary crowns and bridges are interim full crowns/bridges made to protect teeth during the restoration process. They are typically fabricated from resin or plastic materials and are worn for one to two weeks until the permanent crown/bridge is ready for placement.
Automated Processing
CHITUBOX Dental’s automated processing function completes all steps with a single click. For temporary crowns and bridges, the default workflow includes orientation, support, and layout. Users only need to import the model, click the Auto Process button, and wait for the workflow to be completed.
It should be noted that before processing, ensure the application type in the configuration page is set to Temp C & B. Users can click the Configuration option in the top toolbar, select Add Configuration or Edit Current Configuration, and choose Temp C & B under application types. Alternatively, click the triangle icon next to the platform label at the bottom left and select Settings to access the page.
Manual Processing
Since steps like hollowing and filling are not involved, manual processing for temporary crowns and bridges is straightforward, consisting only of orientation, support, and layout.
Orientation
Due to the high precision requirements of crowns and bridges, along with their unique margin designs—critical for achieving a tight fit between the crown and prep, we recommend orienting the crowns and bridges with the intaglio surface facing upward. This prevents supports from being added to the intaglio surface and margin areas, ensuring accuracy and avoiding grinding in that area, which could compromise precision.
CHITUBOX Dental’s orientation principle for crowns and bridges is to place the occlusal surface downward and the intaglio surface upward. This one-click orientation function improves print success rates and enhances the fit between the crown and the patient’s natural teeth.
Support
After orienting the crowns and bridges in CHITUBOX Dental, proceed to add supports using the preset parameters.
Given the small size of crowns and bridges, light supports are recommended. The Tip Contact Depth in the support parameters should be set to 0.1–0.15mm to avoid protrusions or pits on the occlusal or incisal surfaces, which could affect bite accuracy.
Layout
When arranging crowns and bridges on the build platform, concentrate the models near the center to avoid reduced accuracy at the edges due to insufficient light intensity. CHITUBOX Dental enables compact, space-efficient nesting, which is particularly beneficial for labs or clinics requiring high-volume printing.
After completing these steps, carefully inspect the crowns and bridges for integrity, check for overhangs on occlusal surfaces, and verify that printer and material parameters are correct. Once confirmed, click Slice to enter the preview interface and examine each layer. Then, click Save to store the file locally or on a storage device for transfer to the 3D printer. For network-enabled machines, users can also click Send to Printer to directly transfer the file and initiate printing.
The above describes our recommended workflow for processing temporary crowns and bridges in CHITUBOX Dental. If you have alternative insights, feel free to share them at marketing@dental.chitubox.com.