Teaching Patients to Scan

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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