Crown & bridge design in 12 hours — how the handoff actually works

When labs first hear “12-hour turnaround,” the most common follow-up question is: “12 hours from when, exactly?” The answer matters — and the honest answer is: from case approval, not from your first email. Here’s the full process, step by step.

For the indications covered in this workflow, see our crown and bridge CAD design service. Implant-supported cases are covered separately in our implant restorative CAD service.

What “12-hour turnaround” actually means

The 12-hour clock starts when a case is approved — meaning we’ve received your scan files, confirmed the case details, and both sides have agreed on indication, material and any design preferences. From that moment to finished design in your inbox: 12 hours.

We reply to the initial inquiry within 8 hours. The time needed to approve a case depends on whether the scan and prescription are complete and whether any details need clarification. We confirm the design start and delivery time after receiving the records.

The crown and bridge handoff, step by step

1. Submit case details. Send indication, tooth numbers, material and design preferences through the inquiry form. It does not accept scan uploads.
2. Agree the scan transfer. We reply with a secure way to transfer the scan files and other records. Remove patient names and other identifying details before sending.
3. Case approval. We confirm receipt, clarify incomplete details and agree on the designed tooth count, total price and scope before the 12-hour design clock starts.
4. Design is built. Margin definition, anatomical build-up, contact and occlusal verification in exocad. You’re not involved at this stage — no check-ins, no status updates needed.
5. Design delivered. You receive the agreed exocad project and/or STL exports for review, with views of the design as needed.
6. Revisions (if needed). Reply with specific notes such as “tighten mesial contact” or “adjust emergence profile buccally.” Revisions are included until you approve.
7. Final delivery. Approved .dentalProject and/or nested STL files, ready for your mill.

What makes a crown and bridge case go smoothly

These details help the designer prepare a useful first draft:

• Clean scan data. High-quality IOS scans or well-scanned models with no missing data at the margin or in the interproximal contacts.
• Opposing arch captured. Without an opposing scan, occlusal design is estimated. Always include the opposing arch.
• Material specified. Zirconia has different design parameters to emax; PMMA to wax. Unspecified material means the designer makes an assumption.
• Tooth form library preference noted. If you consistently use a specific library, note it. Consistency across cases matters to your clinical outcome.

What types of crown and bridge work do we handle?

Single crowns, multi-unit bridges (up to full-arch span), inlays and onlays, veneers, Maryland bridges, cantilevers, implant-supported crowns and screw-retained crowns on all major implant systems. Complex cases — long-span bridges, immediate implant restorations, advanced occlusal reconstruction — are handled with a slightly longer brief and sometimes a brief call to align expectations, but remain within scope.

What if you need it faster than 12 hours?

Urgent delivery is available on request, subject to case complexity and capacity. Include your deadline in the initial inquiry so we can confirm whether it is possible before the case starts.