Scanner Troubleshooting

General Troubleshooting

Are your patient's scans distorted?

There are several reasons your patient's scan may be distorted, for example:

• The scan pattern required by your scanner type is not being followed which causes the images not properly to stitch together, causing distortions.
• Your scanner has not recently been calibrated.
• There may be excess saliva in your patient's mouth when taking the scan.

Below are a few checks to take a clear, diagnostic scan of your patient's anatomy:

1. What kind of scanner are you using?
2. Does it use an autoclavable scan tip with a mirror?
   • If Yes:
     • Does the mirror have any water stains from the autoclave? If so, you will need to use a tip that is clear of any stains or smudges. To avoid staining, we recommend inserting a piece of gauze into the mirror tip when autoclaving so the gauze can wick the moisture away from the mirror.
     • How old is the mirror tip?
       • The autoclavable tips have a limited lifespan depending on what scanner you are using. We recommend that you consult the manufacturer for the lifespan of a tip.
   • If No:
     • Is there any smudge or debris on the mirror? We recommend that you wipe any debris or smudges off with a microfiber cloth.
3. Is the camera lens clear?
   • The lens is located on the scan wand underneath the scan tip.
   • If not, remove the lens tip and wipe it with a microfiber wipe.
   • Wiping the lens with any medical grade disinfectant (for example: optim wipes or cavicide) may cause damage to the lens and can lead to distortions.
4. If the lens and scan tip are both clear, then you want to be sure you follow the scan pattern set for that scanner.
   • Each scanner is designed to recognize a specific order in which the teeth are scanned to accurately connect all the surfaces of the teeth (buccal/occlusal/lingual).
   • Not following the pattern can confuse the scanner so it will just stitch the surfaces with these distorted lines.
5. To avoid excess saliva, we recommend using a suction or dental gauze to keep the teeth dry because excess saliva will cause distortions and reflective issues.
6. If your scans are still distorted, we recommend trying to calibrate your scanner (if possible), following the manufacturer's direction.