Create chairside retainer scans for Dandy aligners

Overview: This article provides instructions for clinicians on how to capture and review high-quality intraoral scans specifically for Dandy aligner retainer cases. 

Retainer Scanning Sequence

To ensure the software processes scan data correctly, follow this specific capture order:

1. Lower Arch: Scan the lower arch following an occlusal, buccal, and lingual path, then select Next.

2. Upper Arch: Scan the upper arch following an occlusal, buccal, and lingual path, then select Next.

3. Bite Capture: Capture at least four teeth and 2-3mm of gingiva to ensure accurate bite registration. 

   • Align Bite Scans Manually

4. Review Scans: Select Review Scans to inspect the digital models for missing or distorted data.

5. Manual Alignment: Align the bite scans manually if the digital models do not auto-align.

Scanning Tool Functions

Use the tools at the bottom of the scan pages to refine the digital models:

• Reset: Deletes the entire current scan to start over.

• Trim: Removes only a specifically selected area of the scan data.

• Lock: Fixes a selected area of the scan in place to prevent further changes.

• Center: Aligns the digital model to a standard occlusal view.

• Stone: Converts the digital scan to a monochromatic stone appearance for easier surface inspection.

• Swap: Trades the current scan with the data from the opposite arch scan.

Scan Review Options

Evaluate the completed scans using these visualization features:

• Single: Displays both upper and lower arches together in occlusion.

• Side-by-Side: Shows the upper and lower arches individually on the same screen.

• Complete: Provides a combined view of both the Single and Side-by-Side layouts.

• Compare: Displays the current scans alongside a previously completed set of scans.

• HD Scans: Activates high-definition mode for more detailed visualization.

• Clearance: Generates a heat map showing the occlusal clearance between arches.

• Annotate Scans: Allows the clinician to draw, circle, or add text directly onto the digital model.

Sharing Scans with Patients

Once the scans are verified, follow these steps to share the digital models with the patient:

1. Select Share Scans With Patient.

2. Confirm the practice contact information if this is the first time using the sharing feature.

3. Draft a message to the patient explaining the retainer scanning results.

4. Choose the delivery method: digital link, physical printout, or QR code.

5. Select Share to complete the process.