exocad is one of the most widely used third-party dental CAD software platforms worldwide. Open-system intraoral scanners (including Aident AI-30, Medit, Shining 3D, and others) export standard STL/PLY/OBJ files that import smoothly into exocad for restoration design.
Below is a practical, step-by-step workflow and key tips that help clinics and labs achieve accurate, high-quality designs with fewer remakes.
Data Import Workflow
Open exocad DentalCAD and create a new order. Enter patient information and select the restoration type.
In the "Scan" stage, choose "Load from file" and import the intraoral scan files (STL or PLY).
Import the upper jaw, lower jaw, and bite registration files separately.
exocad automatically aligns the arches using the bite record. Verify the alignment carefully and adjust manually if needed.
Confirm model orientation and tooth numbering.
Pre-Processing the Scan Data
Mesh Analysis - Use the "Show mesh analysis" tool to detect holes, non-manifold edges, self-intersections, or other defects.
Trim Excess Data - Apply the "Cut" or trim tools to remove unnecessary buccal/lingual soft tissue and base material. Keep only the dentition and essential gingiva.
Fill Holes - Small voids can be closed with the hole-filling tool. Never fill voids at the preparation margin - re-scan those areas instead.
Smoothing - Apply light smoothing only on non-critical areas to reduce noise while preserving margin sharpness.
Margin Line Drawing
Enter the "Margin line" stage. exocad will attempt automatic detection.
Automatic detection almost always requires manual refinement, especially on subgingival margins and interproximal areas.
Zoom in and carefully adjust the margin line segment by segment.
Place the margin line precisely on the outermost edge of the preparation shoulder - neither too high nor too low.
Margin quality directly determines restoration fit. Take the time to get it right.
Design Tips for Better Results
Insertion Path - Adjust the insertion direction to minimize undercuts.
Proximal Contacts - Fine-tune contact strength. Too tight makes seating difficult; too light risks food impaction.
Occlusion - Check contact points in the occlusal view. Red/blue markers indicate premature contacts that need adjustment.
Anatomy - Start with Biogeneric or tooth library morphology, then customize for the individual patient.
Cement Gap - Set the appropriate cement space according to material and manufacturing method (typically 30–80 μm).
Common Issues and Solutions
Misaligned models after import - Usually caused by a poor bite record. Re-confirm the occlusion or use multi-point alignment.
Inaccurate automatic margin detection - The preparation margin in the scan is unclear. Re-scan the critical areas or verify with a traditional silicone check.
Large holes in the model - Data was missing during scanning. Small areas can be patched; large defects require a new scan.
Why Open-System Scanners Excel with exocad
The Aident AI-30 Intraoral Scanner delivers high-accuracy, powder-free scans that export clean open-format files fully compatible with exocad. True-color texture (when exported as PLY/OBJ) further supports precise design and patient communication. Clinics and labs using Aident scanners report smoother data flow and fewer design corrections.
Clean scan data + proper exocad workflow = better-fitting restorations and higher lab efficiency.
Ready to streamline your digital design process?
Explore the Aident AI-30 Intraoral Scanner and complete open digital solution at https://www.aident3d.com/. Contact us for a quote, demo files, or technical support tailored to your exocad workflow.
