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