Chairside Complete Denture From Existing Scanning Workflow

Overview: Manage the step-by-step scanning workflow for complete dentures from existing reference dentures using Dandy Chairside software. 

Required Arch Scan Data

The required scan data depends on the number of arches being fabricated for the patient. 

• For additional information, see Scanning Best Practices

• Also taking a 360° scan

Single Arch Denture Requirements

• One extraoral 360° scan of the existing reference denture.

• One intraoral scan of the opposing arch.

• Two intraoral bite scans captured from the molar to the midline.

Dual Arch Denture Requirements

• One extraoral 360° scan of the existing upper reference denture.

• One extraoral 360° scan of the existing lower reference denture.

• Two intraoral bite scans captured from the molar to the midline.

Lower Denture Extraoral Scanning Steps

Follow this scan sequence: Intaglio → Borders → Occlusal → Cameo. 

1. Intaglio: Begin scanning on the intaglio surface of the lower denture.

2. Borders: Use a “rocking and rolling” motion to move the scanner from the intaglio towards the border, then roll the scanner back towards the intaglio. Repeat the rocking and rolling motion until the entire peripheral border is scanned.

3. Cameo: Rock the scanner from the buccal border towards the buccal/facial tooth surface, then roll the scanner back towards the border. Repeat the rocking and rolling motion until all buccal/facial surfaces are scanned.

4. Occlusal: Rock the scanner from the buccal tooth surface to the occlusal then lingual tooth surfaces, then roll the scanner back towards the occlusal. Repeat the rocking and rolling motion until all anatomical tooth surfaces are scanned.

5. Evaluate: Check the scan for missing data and rescan the lower denture as needed.

Upper Denture Extraoral Scanning Steps

Follow this scan sequence: Intaglio → Borders → Occlusal → Cameo. 

1. Intaglio: Begin scanning on the intaglio surface of the upper denture. Sweep the scanner from side to side to scan the majority of the palate.

2. Borders: Use a “rocking and rolling” motion to move the scanner from the intaglio over the border, then roll the scanner back towards the intaglio. Repeat the rocking and rolling motion until the entire peripheral border is scanned.

3. Cameo: Rock the scanner from the buccal border towards the buccal/facial tooth surface, then roll the scanner back towards the border. Repeat the rocking and rolling motion until all buccal/facial surfaces are scanned.

4. Occlusal: Rock the scanner from the buccal tooth surface to the occlusal then lingual tooth surfaces, then roll the scanner back towards the occlusal. Repeat the rocking and rolling motion until all anatomical tooth surfaces are scanned.

5. Evaluate: Check the scan for missing data and rescan the upper denture as needed.

Techniques for 360 Extraoral Scanning

Utilise these techniques to improve the quality of the 360° extraoral scan.

• Hold the prosthesis in the non-dominant hand and the scanner in the dominant hand.

• Manipulate the scanner and the denture simultaneously.

• Pause the scanner frequently to evaluate the scan data for discrepancies or distortion.

• Restart the scanner on a previously scanned area to allow the software to recognise existing data before moving to missing areas.