Full Arch All-on-X CAD Design, Step by Step

Screens from our own full-arch cases are shown where available. Steps marked “Illustration” use illustrative images.

1. Illustration

   01 — Patient scan

   Starting with clean digital data

   The case begins with the patient's digital scans and the information supplied by the laboratory or clinic. This data sets the relationship between the arches, soft tissue, existing teeth and implant components.

   • Upper and lower scans
   • Bite registration
   • Implant scan bodies
   • Implant system and library
   • Available prosthetic space
   • Clinical prescription
   • Aesthetic requirements

2. 

   02 — Initial setup

   Establishing the foundation of the case

   Before developing the final restoration, we build the initial digital setup: we evaluate the available space and define the overall position and proportions of the future restoration, so every later stage rests on a predictable base.

3. 

   03 — Implant positions

   Accurate implant positioning is critical

   The implant positions define the link between the prosthetic design and the implant-supported structure. We verify the scan-body data and implant library before continuing, and review the available verification records on complex cases.

4. 

   04 — Teeth setup

   Building the prosthetic setup

   Teeth are positioned according to the available space, aesthetic requirements and functional goals. The setup becomes the reference for the final restoration.

   • Tooth proportions
   • Midline
   • Incisal plane
   • Arch form
   • Anterior and posterior positioning
   • Relationship with the opposing arch

5. Illustration

   05 — Gingiva

   A natural transition between prosthesis and tissue

   We refine the gingival architecture around the planned tooth positions while keeping the right space for the restorative concept and production method. For highly aesthetic cases, free-form sculpting can be added.

6. Illustration

   06 — Occlusion

   Function is designed in, not checked at the end

   The restoration is evaluated against the opposing arch to set the intended occlusal relationship.

   • Occlusal contacts
   • Vertical space
   • Tooth-to-tooth relationship
   • Posterior contacts
   • Functional clearance
   • Overall arch coordination

7. 

   07 — Final CAD

   Refining the complete restoration

   The complete design is refined and reviewed against the production requirements supplied with the case.

   • Overall morphology
   • Occlusion and prosthetic space
   • Material thickness
   • Implant relationship
   • Screw access where applicable
   • Production geometry and mesh quality

8. 

   08 — STL output

   From CAD design to production-ready file

   After your approval, the design is exported as production-ready STL, adapted to your milling or 3D-printing workflow, materials and requirements.

9. Illustration

   09 — Production

   The digital design becomes the restoration

   Your laboratory mills or prints the approved design and finishes it according to the selected material and protocol. This is where good CAD matters: the digital design has to translate into a predictable physical result.

• You send the case

  Scans, prescription and implant data by email.

• We design it

  In exocad, following your materials and production workflow.

• You review it

  We make any revisions you need.

• You receive the files

  Production-ready STL, usually within 1–2 days depending on complexity.

Full-arch cases take a lot of CAD time inside a laboratory. Outsourcing the design stage lets your team keep production in-house while adding capacity when you need it, with direct communication with the designer and case-specific design parameters. See also outsourcing for dental labs, how we work and our price list.

• Upper and lower scans
• Bite registration
• Implant scan-body data
• Implant system and platform
• CAD library
• Clinical prescription
• Material requirements
• Aesthetic references or photos
• CBCT or verification data when required

The cleaner and more complete the data, the faster the design can be developed.

• Full Arch & Blender CAD Design
• Implant Bar CAD Design
• All dental CAD services