Die
Also called: stone die, working die, printed die
A die is an exact copy of a single prepared tooth, cut from a stone model or printed from a scan. The dental technician builds or checks a crown on it, because the die shows the edge of the preparation, called the margin, more clearly than a full model does.
How it shows up between practice and lab
The die is where the lab sees how clear the margin is. If the edge of the preparation is hidden in the impression or the scan, it is hidden on the die.
When that happens, the technician has to choose between guessing and asking.
A lab that asks on the first day, with a screenshot, gives the dentist a chance to rescan while the date can still hold.
In a fully digital case there may be no physical die at all. The crown is designed on screen, and checked on a printed model only if the lab wants one.
Read more in digital impressions vs traditional impressions and how to give your dental lab feedback that improves the next case.
Related terms
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