Overview: This guide provides a step-by-step clinical workflow for performing a full mouth reconstruction using chairside scanning techniques.
Appointment One: Diagnostic Scan and Design
The first appointment focuses on capturing the patient's current dentition to create a design preview.
Case Setup and Scanning
- Configure the case as a 'diagnostic scan' for the design preview.
- Capture full arch scans of the upper and lower dentition.
- Capture both right and left side bite scans.
Prescription (RX) Instructions
Include the following details in the prescription to ensure design accuracy:
- Teeth Numbers: List all teeth included in the reconstruction.
- Restoration Type: Specify if the restorations are crowns, veneers, or bridges.
- VDO Adjustments: State if the Vertical Dimension of Occlusion (VDO) needs to be raised (digital adjustments are possible up to 4mm) or lowered.
- Physical Assets: Request physical models and a matrix based on the design to use as a prep guide.
Appointment Two: Tooth Preparation and Temporary Placement
The second appointment involves prepping the teeth and scanning for final restorations.
Preliminary Preparation Steps
- Add a pre-op scan to the case setup before beginning any preparation.
- Determine the preparation sequence. For reconstructions requiring a VDO increase, prep the posterior teeth first, seat the temporaries, and allow the patient to adjust to the new VDO before final scanning.
Bite Scanning Options
Choose one of the following two options for capturing the bite:
Option One: Temporary Crown Bite Scan
- Seat the temporary crowns.
- Scan the bite with the temporary crowns in place. This ensures the final restorations mimic the new VDO and adjusted temp shapes.
Option Two: Sectional Preparation
- Maintain the existing molars and incisors to preserve the bite relationship.
- Prepare the bicuspids and canines.
- Capture the bite scans.
- Prepare the remaining teeth.
- Capture complete arch scans of all prepared teeth.
Post-Preparation Verification
- Verify that the preparations have achieved enough occlusal clearance for the selected material.
- Contact the Scan Review team to check the scans while the patient is still in the chair.
Final Case Submission
- Request a new design preview at checkout if you need to mimic specific adjustments made to the temporaries.
- Attach a high-resolution photo of the shade tab held close to the patient's mouth to ensure accurate color matching.