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What is the dual scan protocol, and why is it required?

A dual scan is the only way to fabricate a tissue-supported edentulous (and, in some cases, partially edentulous) surgical guide. The lab can only see and work with the soft tissue when it has the intaglio of the scan appliance seated and captured against the tissue, which is exactly what the dual scan provides.

ROE's protocol involves two scans: one of the patient wearing the scan appliance in occlusion, and one of the appliance by itself. Note that more than half of submitted dual scans are reported as incorrect, so following each step carefully matters.

Key terms:

Term What it means
Dual scan Two scans: one with the patient wearing the scan appliance, and one of the appliance alone.
Scan appliance Usually the patient's existing denture or a duplicate. It must fit intimately against all tissues, be close to what the patient likes, and have no soft liner.
Markers Radiopaque beads or gutta-percha added to the appliance for registration. Without markers, you do not have a usable scan appliance.

The scan process:

  1. Scan the patient wearing the denture or scan appliance with markers, in occlusion, with the chin on the chin rest. This is the first scan.
  2. Scan the appliance by itself on foam or a special scan table, not touching any metal or plastic, capturing 100% of the appliance. This is the second scan.
  3. Export all DICOM data and submit it to ROE.

Material requirements include a well-fitting existing denture or acrylic duplicate that contains zero metal, radiolucent bite registration material (Green Mousse), reline material if the prosthesis is mobile, radiopaque sticker or gutta-percha markers, and a foam or Styrofoam block.

For the complete step-by-step protocol, see ROE's CBCT Dual Scan Protocol page.

 

Resources

Contact Information

For immediate chairside support or troubleshooting assistance, contact ROE Dental Laboratory: