High-quality dental scans or impressions are critical for the OrthoAlight process. The objective of this document is to list out the quality standards intra- or extra-oral scans have to comply with when submitted to OrthoAlight.

General

• STL format only
• Both arches should be captured, even when only a single arch treatment is requested.
• Both arches must be scanned and positioned in occlusion.
• Each arch saved as a separate STL file.
• A single arch file must contain between 100, 000 and up to 300 000 triangles.
• Typically, the single arch STL file size will be between 3 Mb to 15 Mb in size.
• When using the iTero® scanner from Align Technologies, it is recommended to select “Vivera®”or “Invisalign®” scan types. If those options are not enabled on the scanner, select “iRecord®”. (note – “iCast®” scans are not accepted).
• When using 3Shape Trios®, select the “_orig_trios_export.stl” high resolution option (the other scan type only features low resolution).
• For other intra-oral scanners, please consult your local OrthoAlight team.

A high-quality scan should include:

• The entire arch including the terminal molars;
• All incisal edges and marginal ridges;
• Complete occlusal surfaces (no holes);
• Interproximal embrasures, IPR and natural interproximal spaces;
• Clear gingival margin with 3-5 mm of lingual and buccal gingivae;
• Left and right bite scans covering at least 3-5 teeth to ensure proper occlusion.
• No defects, holes, artifacts, bumps or tunnels

Examples of high-quality scans:

Examples of low-quality scans:
Scanning was done too quickly and the iTero® software could not assemble the surfaces correctly:

An incomplete scan of the lingual area results in missing surfaces:

Incomplete lingual scans cause the iTero® software to create incorrect surfaces: