Overview: This article provides comprehensive, step-by-step instructions for managing various dental restoration workflows using 3Shape Unite software. Users will learn how to set up patient profiles, capture intraoral scans, and submit orders directly to Dandy Labs.
Conduct Diagnostic Scans
Diagnostic scans help dental practices streamline patient education and treatment planning.
Video Tutorial
Set Up Patient Profiles
Search for existing patients: Use the 'Search for a Patient' tab on the top left to find an existing profile.
Create new patient profiles: Select 'New Patients' on the left side of the screen.
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Enter patient details: Input the patient's first name, last name, and date of birth, then select 'Add'.
Perform the Diagnostic Scan
Navigate to Dandy Labs: Select 'Dandy Labs' under the 'Scan and Send' menu.
Select Scan Only: Check the 'Scan Only' box to proceed without sending a formal order to Dandy.
Capture the Lower Arch: Start at a posterior tooth and follow an occlusal-lingual-buccal path.
Capture the Upper Arch: Flip the scanner mirror tip 180 degrees and follow the same occlusal-lingual-buccal path.
Record Occlusion: Perform left and right bite scans while the patient is in natural centric occlusion.
Manage Fixed Restoration Workflows
These steps apply to Crown, Bridge, and Veneer cases.
Video Tutorial
Configure Case Details
Select Restoration Type: Choose between "Single Units" (Crown/Veneer) or "Bridge".
Choose Material and Shade: Select the desired restorative material and Vita classic shade from the dropdown menus.
Set Delivery Date: Input a delivery date to fulfill software requirements (Note: Actual delivery is determined by the Dandy lab slip).
Scanning and Preparation
Perform Pre-Prep Scan: If required for aesthetic matching, capture the arch before tooth preparation.
Prepare the Tooth: Follow Dandy's best practices for margin preparation and retraction.
Scan the Prepped Tooth: Start scanning on an adjacent tooth to help the software identify the prep area.
Capture Clear Margins: Ensure complete interproximal data and visible margins are captured in the final scan.
Manage Crown Under Existing Partial
Configure Patient and Case Details
To begin a Crown Under Partial case, create a new patient profile or select an existing patient in the Unite software. Under the Scan & Send menu, select Dandy Labs. If Dandy Labs does not appear as an option, contact the Support Team for assistance.
Select the Scanning Workflow
Users must determine the scanning path based on whether the patient has an existing appliance:
Existing Partial Denture: Use a "Pre-Prep" scan in Scan Only mode to capture the pre-preparation anatomy. This ensures the new crown fits the existing appliance.
New Partial Denture: If Dandy is fabricating the partial and crown simultaneously, skip the Scan Only pre-prep step.
Case Specifications
Select the following details on the case setup page to ensure proper routing:
Case Type: Select Single Units and Crown on Preparation, then choose the specific tooth.
Material: Choose the preferred restorative material from the dropdown menu.
Shade: Select the desired shade using the Vita Classic guide.
Additional Scans: If the patient has an existing partial, click the Additional Scan box to add a pre-prep scan.
Delivery Date: Select a date to save the case. Note that the final delivery estimate is confirmed on the Dandy lab slip, not within Unite.
Complete Intraoral Scans
Follow these specific scanning protocols to ensure restoration accuracy:
Pre-Prep Scan (Existing Partial Only)
If the patient has an existing partial, perform the pre-prep scan on the arch with the original crown or temporary. Do not have the partial denture in place for this specific scan.
Prep Scan
With Existing Partial: Capture the prepared tooth with the partial denture fully seated. This documents the contact point between the partial and the new restoration.
Without Existing Partial: Capture the prepared tooth normally without any appliance.
Technique: Scan the occlusal surfaces first, followed by lingual and buccal. Divide buccal scans at the midline for higher precision.
Opposing Arch and Bite Scans
Opposing Arch: Scan the full opposing arch, including any existing dentures or partials.
Bite Scans: Complete left and right bite scans. If the patient has an appliance, use it during the bite scan to stabilize the Vertical Dimension of Occlusion (VDO). Ensure the prepared tooth is visible in at least one bite scan.
Manage Implant Crown Cases
Submit a single-unit implant crown case by following these configuration and scanning steps.
Configure Crown Case Details
Initiate Case Setup: Create a new patient profile or select an existing patient.
Select Dandy Labs: Choose Dandy Labs under Scan & Send. Contact Support if this option is missing.
Define Case Type: Select Single Units and Implant Abutment. Choose the specific tooth being replaced.
Select Connection: Navigate to Implant connection to select the manufacturer, system, and connection type.
Choose Materials and Shade: Select preferred materials for the abutment and crown. Use the Shade menu and a Vita classic guide for color selection.
Check Emergence Profile: Ensure the Emergence profile box is checked. This is required for Dandy implant cases.
Perform Implant Crown Scans
Emergence Profile Scan: Scan after removing the healing abutment. Follow the occlusal-to-lingual-to-buccal path.
Mark the Tooth: Click the occlusal surface of the treated tooth and select Done.
Insert Scan Body: Seat the scan body fully. Start scanning on an adjacent tooth to help the software identify the scan body.
Capture Bite: Perform left and right bite scans in natural occlusion until the software chimes.
Manage Implant Bridge Cases
Follow these steps to configure multi-unit implant bridge cases and pontics in Unite.
Configure Bridge Case Details
Select Case Type: Choose Bridge and Implant Abutment. Select the teeth being replaced by implants.
Add Pontics: Select Pontic and choose the corresponding teeth.
Select Connections: Enter the manufacturer and system for every implant in the case. Attach a surgical report to the lab slip to confirm these parts.
Set Materials: Pick materials for both the abutments and the bridge structure.
Verify Emergence Profile: Confirm the Emergence profile box is checked in the case overview.
Perform Implant Bridge Scans
Emergence Profile Scan: Follow the standard scanning sequence (occlusal, lingual, buccal) after removing healing abutments.
Scan Bodies: Insert and seat all scan bodies. Ensure complete capture of scan bodies and interproximal areas.
Bite Registration: Capture the patient's natural occlusion with left and right bite scans.
Manage Surgical Guide Cases
Configure tooth-supported surgical guides and optional temporary crowns.
Configure Surgical Guide Details
Select Case Type: Choose Implant Planning and the corresponding arch.
Identify Workflow: Select Guide Workflow and then Tooth Supported. Mark the specific implant sites.
Optional Temps: To order a temporary restoration, select virtual crowns for the implant sites.
Perform Surgical Guide Scans
Intraoral Scans: Scan the lower and upper arches following the occlusal-lingual-buccal sequence.
Mark Sites: Click the occlusal surface of the planned implant site to mark it for the software.
Bite Scans: Capture bilateral bite scans to complete the scanning phase.
Manage Removable Restoration Workflows
These steps apply to Full and Partial Denture cases.
Define clinical case details
Select Removable as the case type.
Select either Full Denture or Partial Denture based on the patient's clinical needs.
Select any tooth on the arch intended for the denture.
Navigate to the Material dropdown menu and choose the specific material for the restoration.
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Select Save and enter a delivery date.
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Note: The delivery date in Unite is a software requirement; the actual estimated delivery date will be confirmed on the Dandy Lab Slip.
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Capture intraoral scans
Lower Mandibular Arch: Scan the occlusal surfaces first, move to the lingual surfaces, and finish with the buccal surfaces. Divide buccal scans at the midline for higher precision.
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Upper Maxillary Arch: Follow the same sequence as the lower arch (occlusal, lingual, then buccal).
Bite Scans: Perform left and right bite scans. If the patient has an existing appliance, perform the scan with the appliance seated to stabilize the Vertical Dimension of Occlusion (VDO).
Manage wax rim or copy denture workflows
Wax rim continuation
Perform a 360-degree extraoral scan of the wax rim arch.
Select Denture Scanning in the software prompt. Do not select "intraoral" or "impression" for extraoral scans.
On the Dandy Lab Slip, select the button for Create final denture from wax rim.
Copy denture workflow
Follow the standard setup and scanning steps.
Use the patient's original denture for the 360-degree extraoral scan.
On the Dandy Lab Slip, specify that the case is a Copy Denture and note any required alterations in the comments
Clinical Case Selection
Select the specific case type in 3Shape Unite to ensure the software captures the necessary scan data.
For Aligner Cases: Select Orthodontics and then click Clear Aligners.
For Retainers, Night Guards, and Bleaching Trays: Select Appliance, click Splint, and select Flexible under the material dropdown menu.
For TMD and Sleep Apnea: Select Scan Only.
Set Delivery Date: Click Save and enter a delivery date. Note that the actual delivery date is determined by the Dandy Lab Slip, not the date entered in Unite.
Intraoral Scanning Process
Follow a consistent scanning path to ensure high-quality digital impressions for all appliance types.
Lower Mandibular Arch: Scan occlusal surfaces first, followed by lingual, and conclude with buccal. Divide buccal scans at the midline for higher precision.
Upper Maxillary Arch: Use the same sequence (occlusal, lingual, buccal). Flip the scanner mirror tip for the upper arch.
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Bite Scans: Perform left and right bite scans with the patient in their natural occlusion.
Note for Sleep Apnea: Perform the bite scan with the bite registration material in place to maintain the desired treatment position.
Clinical Photography (Aligner Cases Only)
Aligner cases require specific clinical photos before the order can be processed.
Capture the following eight photos:
Bite Views: Left, Right, and Front (head-on).
Occlusal Views: Full Upper and Full Lower arches.
Portraits: Smiling, straight-faced (front), and straight-faced (profile).
Case Submission and Lab Slip
Finalize the digital case and send the data to the Dandy Portal for fabrication.
Post-Processing: Navigate to the analysis page, review the scans, and select Post process and then Send.
Complete Dandy Lab Slip: Fill out all required fields on the Dandy Lab slip. Attach clinical photos (for aligners) or x-rays as needed.
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Confirm Order: Continue clicking the green buttons at the bottom of the screen until you select Place Order.
Warning: If you close Unite before clicking Place Order, the case will remain as "Pending" in the Dandy Portal and will not move to production.