Teaching Patients to Scan

Inserting DM Retractors

  • Arch covers the chin, not the nose!

  • Insert one side then the other

  • Smaller tabs go in the mouth, larger tabs are for holding/pushing/pulling

Scanning Tips

  • Where to scan – Wall mounted or desk mounted (make up) mirror (not handheld mirror)

  • Phone position

  • Phone screen facing the mirror, camera pointed at the face
  • Distance from face = 4-5” inches (about the length of the phone)

  • IMPORTANT: Hold phone still while scanning

  • Camera position – orient phone so camera is on top and centered on teeth

  • Elbow position – tuck elbows at sides (standing) or rest on countertop (seated)

  • Angle – Looking straight ahead with teeth parallel to the floor

  • Head Turn – While holding phone still, turn head shoulder to shoulder

  • Pace – slow and steady pace (scan duration is 6 seconds)

  • Retractor Pull/Push

  • Use one hand to pull/push retractor toward ear lobe while phone is held in other hand

  • If turning head left, push or pull retractor to show teeth on right side

  • If turning head right, push or pull retractor to show teeth on left side

Practicing the Scanning Mechanics

  • No phone – With one hand practice turning head shoulder to shoulder while pulling/pushing retractors

  • With phone (black screen) – position phone 4-5” away from mouth and practice holding phone still while turning head shoulder to shoulder while pulling/pushing retractors

When Ready to Scan

  • Follow instructions for aligners in or aligners out

  • Single green dotted line = bite firmly together

  • Double green dotted line (slightly apart) = teeth slightly apart (about one finger width apart)

  • Make sure all four (4) green dots on retractors are visible in screen

  • Red oval = adjust distance

  • Green oval = ready to scan

  • Push volume up button or tap screen to begin scan

  • Will see progress bar scrolling across top of screen during 6 second scan

  • Steady pace turning head shoulder to shoulder while pulling/pushing retractors

Occlusal Scans (Braces Patients)

  • Double green dotted line (farther apart)

  • With retractors in the mouth, open mouth wide

  • Upper arch – look up slightly, tip top of phone away from face to angle camera up

  • Lower arch – look down slightly, tip top of phone toward face to angle camera down