Dentate or Partially Edentulous

CBCT Scan

Data Acquisition Scanning Guide

The overall success in guided surgery cases depends not only on the quality of the scan data, but also on the planning team's expertise merging and aligning hard and soft tissues. Correct aligning of the scans is paramount to the accuracy of a successful plan. This reference guide will aid the clinician by outlining suggested scanning protocols and provide answers to basic questions.

The goal of our guided workflow is to provide the surgeon and restorative clinician with a predictable surgical solution. This also provides a valid restorative starting point.

CBCT Scanning

A full-head 10X10 FOV scan is preferred. In some situations, a single arch scan will work and is case-dependent.

The preferred DIACOM slice thickness is 0.2.  

Patient files need to be exported in raw, uncompressed DCM format. The folder can be compressed as a ZIP folder and sent to Allure Dental Studio via our upload portal located on our website. All patient scans need to be taken with the jaws separated with a cotton roll.

All Patients

• Head and body position is important when taking a CBCT scan. Have the patient seated or standing with head position horizontal and centered in the field of vision.

Dentate

• To keep the patient out of occlusion, insert a cotton roll between the upper and lower arches to separate.

Partially Edentulous

• Metal based partial appliances cannot be scanned. Do not scan the patient with the partial in place.

Edentulous

Without a denture

• A cotton roll can be used to keep the upper and lower jaws separated.

With a denture

• Refer to dual-scan protocol.

Dentures and bite rims require a new hard reline before scanning. Do not use soft reline material as it may cause flaring in the scan.

Scan markers need to be used. See dual arch scanning protocol for placement details. Scan markers are provided upon request. 

Dual Scan Protocol

The scanning protocols for edentulous patients require a few items necessary to capture the denture in its proper position such as:

• Patient denture or non-metallic appliance.

• Suremark self-adhesive radiographic markers.

• Chairside or laboratory hard reline. This increases the accuracy when matching and aligning hard and soft tissues.

Before scanning, verify the integrity of the appliance.

Check the fit of the prosthesis, and verify that a hard reline has been done accurately. This step is critical to the accuracy of the surgical plan.

Place the scan markers on a dry surface, ensuring secure adhesion of the markers.

Six to eight markers are required and can be placed in a random pattern, but use an even distribution of markers on the buccal, lingual, and the facial surfaces.

Do not place the markers on the intaglio surface. The markers can be trimmed if needed.

Scanning the Edentulous Patient

Method One

It is recommended to scan the prosthesis first. This can be carried out by using one of the two following methods.

The prosthesis can be scanned using the CT scanner. The appliance is placed in the scanner on a box or Styrofoam in the same position as if the patient was be being scanned.

After scanning, verify that all the scan markers are present.

Use the same scanning FOV and settings.

Use a cotton roll to keep the appliance separated and out of occlusion.

Method Two

An Intraoral scanner can also be used to scan the appliance. When scanning the appliance, the intaglio and occlusal surfaces need to be captured and must include the teeth and scan markers. This method eliminates the need for two separate CT scans.

Dentate patients with multiple fillings or crown and bridge restorations.

The presence of metal will cause scatter or flare on the scans making it difficult to align scans accurately. Using a hard-soft suck down over the dentition, combined with scan markers, will facilitate making the scan usable.  This technique however can create some distortion.

Facial Scan

Take a Bellus 3D or InstaRisa facial scan following standard scanning protocols. On upper arches it is mandatory to provide us with a scan of the patient’s regular and exaggerated smile.

For more information about facial scanners, call Allure Dental Studio 877-325-5873

If you do not own this technology, one of our experts is available for in-office consultation (Additional fee applies).

Bellus 3D

IOS Scans or Impression

Intra-Oral scanners

Critical to the accuracy of our guided workflow is the use of the Intra-Oral scanner. Full-arch upper and lower scans are required. Include a right and left side scan of the bite.

Before uploading the scan file, check to make sure there are no holes or missing data in the scan.

Scans can be uploaded in multiple ways. Some scanners have designated portals to exchange files with their laboratory partners, or files can be directly uploaded to Allure Dental Studio via our file exchange portal located in our digital Rx or at the bottom of the “Send A Case” page.

Accepted file formats are .PLY or .STL format.

Please provide us with a full upper and lower scan, which includes all necessary landmarks such has retro molar pads, tuberosity, buccal sulcus, buccal frenum and palate. The more complete and detailed your scan is, the more accurate the outcome will be.

Uploading files

Visit Allure Dental Studio at www.alluredentalstudio.com

Locate the All-on-X workflows in the top righthand corner of the About page.

Choose and open the guided workflow tab.

Click on Send us a case.

Click on the restore down tab in the top righthand corner. It is between the minimize and close tab.

Place all your files in a folder and save them to your desktop.

Right-click on the folder and compress as a ZIP folder.

Highlight and drag your folder into the “Drag files anywhere” box.

The files will automatically download.

You will be prompted to leave your name and a short message to include the practice and patient name in the message.

When downloading has been successfully completed, you will see a confirmation notification when the files have been completely uploaded.