Recommended Scan Paths for Complete Dentures

Establishing a consistent and repeatable scan path for your complete denture cases will reduce chair time and ensure you capture all the information you need for a great fitting denture. 

Lower

  • Starting on the occlusal surface of the second molar area, scan the occlusion.
  • When you reach the anteriors rock the scanner back and forth (labial/lingual).
  • Continue until you reach the second molar on the opposite side.
  • Now roll lingual capturing the base down to the lingual vestibule.
  • Remember when scanning we want to overlap with previously scanned data as we proceed.
  • Wrap around to the buccal flange and capture from the occlusal surface to the edge of the appliance.
  • Shut the scanner off and let it render.
  • Starting on the same 2nd molar that you previously started on, slowly roll to the border of the buccal flange.
  • Very intentionally scan the buccal border with the scanner looking straight down at it, rock the scanner back and forth so we capture a bit of the exterior and interior of the appliance.
  • Start to scan the interior of the appliance by following the alveolar ridge. Using a twisting motion to capture the undercuts on both sides.
  • Now scan the lingual border in the same fashion as we did the buccal border using the rocking motion to capture the exterior and interior of the appliance.
  • Shut the scanner off and let it render.
  • Inspect the scan for missing data, and go back and touch up those areas. We are now ready for the next step.

Upper

  • Starting on the occlusal surface of the second molar area, scan the occlusion.
  • When you reach the anteriors rock the scanner back and forth (labial/lingual).
  • Continue until you reach the second molar on the opposite side.
  • Now roll lingual and start scanning the palate, follow the arch to the midline and then with a back and forth sweeping motion work your way to the distal border, rolling over and capturing a little bit of the intaglio.
  • Wrap around to the buccal flange and capture from the occlusal surface to the edge of the appliance.
  • Shut the scanner off and let it render.
  • Starting on the same 2nd molar that you previously started on, slowly roll to the border of the buccal flange.
  • Very intentionally scan the buccal border with the scanner looking straight down at it, rock the scanner back and forth so we capture a bit of the exterior and interior of the appliance.
  • Start to scan the interior of the appliance by following the alveolar ridge. Use a twisting motion to capture the undercuts of the buccal/labial flange.
  • Move back toward the midline and start to capture the palate with a back and forth sweeping motion work your way to the distal border rolling over to connect it to the previous scan data.
  • Shut the scanner off and let it render.
  • Inspect the scan for missing data, and go back and touch up those areas. We are now ready for the next step.
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