Extraoral Denture Scan (360° Technique)

Overview

The 360° Extraoral Scan Technique provides a faster, more reliable way to capture dentures and wax rims outside the mouth. By digitally recording all surfaces, it supports accurate fabrication, repair, duplication, and bite alignment. Denture scans naturally require higher image counts to ensure complete capture; this workflow is optimized for quality and consistency rather than minimizing totals.

What’s New

We’ve introduced improvements to make scanning easier and more reliable:

• Updated interface for smoother navigation
• New scan path visuals to guide you step by step
• Clearer instructions to reduce errors and improve consistency
• Improved image count meter that reflects the higher ranges expected for quality denture scans and raises the warning threshold to align with Chairside performance

Why it matters: Dentures naturally require more images, and higher counts often correlate with better scan quality and fewer rejections.

Workflow Sequence

Follow this order to ensure full capture:

1. Intaglio surface (tissue‑fitting side)
2. Border (peripheral edge)
3. Occlusal surface (for dentures with teeth)
4. Cameo surface (external face)
5. Bite (buccal bite capture for articulation)

Scan order: Intaglio → Border → Occlusal → Cameo → Bite

Best Practices

For the most accurate results:

• Add reference marks: Place large X’s or letters on the posterior wax rim to help scanner alignment.
• Control lighting: Dim or turn off operatory lights; the scanner works best in low light.
• Optimize image count: Scan slowly with overlapping passes; prioritize complete coverage and clean stitching over low image totals.
• Hold in hand: Rotate the appliance manually instead of placing it flat.

Step‑by‑Step Technique

Step 1: Intaglio Scan

• Position the scanner over the intaglio surface.
• Capture flange, ridge, and palate (for upper dentures).
• Sweep slowly in overlapping zig‑zag passes.
• Wiggle lightly to capture undercuts.
• Keep overlap inside the green capture box to avoid layering errors.
• Tip: Intaglio coverage drives total image count—this is expected. Prioritize complete capture over minimizing images.

Step 2: Border + Occlusal Scan

• Transition smoothly from intaglio to buccal border.
• Use a rolling motion (inside → outside) to capture the border.
• Build scan data gradually until reaching the teeth.
• Scan the occlusal surface from back to front.
• Wiggle over incisors for complete detail.
• Sweep toward the palate with overlapping passes.
• Tip: The rolling border and incisal wiggle increase images and improve stitching continuity; continue until the border ring is unbroken.

Step 3: Cameo Surface Scan

• Start over the occlusal surface, then glide across buccal, lingual, and palatal areas.
• Pay extra attention to sites #8 and #9 for palatal detail.
• Continue until reaching the posterior border.
• End the scan to process image data.
• Tip: Finish cameo coverage even if the meter rises—complete continuity reduces rescans and rejections.

Step 4: Bite

• Capture buccal bite zones (posterior, mid, anterior) with the appliance in occlusion.
• For wax rims, ensure midline marks are visible.
• Minor residual green areas are acceptable; full clearance is not required.

360 Scan Strategy Intaglio First Upper Arch

Key Notes

• Use continuous, overlapping motion.
• Patch missed areas by rescanning with the same orientation.
• Skip the occlusal phase if no teeth are present.
• Image count reality: Higher counts are normal and often correlate with better stitch integrity; rely on the updated meter rather than legacy limits.
• Minor green areas are acceptable; full clearance isn’t required.

Troubleshooting

Ready to master the 360° Scan Strategy? 

Take your skills further with our Digital Denture Course—including exclusive follow‑up training on the 360° technique. Enroll now at Dandy Academy https://academy.meetdandy.com/digital-dentures