Importing CAD/CAM scans

You can import CAD/CAM scan files (.sty and .ply files) to attach to a patient's record in Dentrix Ascend Imaging, such as in the following scenarios:

  • Importing scans from another office or provider (most common).

  • Importing scans acquired in your office with non-integrated third-party imaging software.

To import CAD/CAM scans

  1. If the correct patient is not already selected, use the Patient Search box to access the patient's record.

  2. On the Patient menu, under Clinical, select Chart, Progress Notes, Quick Exam, Perio, Tx Planner, or Imaging.

    The patient's clinical record opens with the Chart, Progress Notes, Quick Exam, Perio, Tx Planner, or Imaging tab selected.

  3. On the Imaging tab's menu, select Acquire Images.

    Notes:

    • Alternatively, you can press Alt+X to start the acquisition process (instead of using the Acquire Images option on the Imaging tab's menu). To use this keyboard shortcut, you must be viewing the patient's clinical record (on the Chart, Progress Notes, Quick Exam, Perio, Tx Planner, or Imaging tab).

    • If the acquisition agent is not installed, the Acquisition Activation dialog box appears. Click (or tap) the Click here link to download the acquisition agent installer. Then, click (or tap) Done. After you install the acquisition agent and the drivers for your acquisition devices, you can begin acquiring images.

    • If you have not already accepted the diagnostic use policy, the Diagnostic Use Warning dialog box appears. To begin using the imaging features of Dentrix Ascend, you must select the I accept the above-mentioned policy checkbox, and then click (or tap) Accept & Go to Imaging.

    The options for acquiring images become available.

  4. On the navigation panel, select one of the following tabs:

    • Favorites - This tab contains the imaging procedures for the current location that have been marked as favorites. This tab is available only if there are favorite imaging procedures for the current location. If there are favorite imaging procedures for the current location, this tab is selected by default.

    • Standard - This tab contains the standard imaging procedures that come with Dentrix Ascend Imaging. This tab is available for all locations. If there are not any favorite imaging procedures for the current location, this tab is selected by default.

    • Custom - This tab contains custom imaging procedures. This tab is available only if custom imaging procedures exist.

      On the Custom tab, you can filter procedures according to the following options:

      • Organization - Displays all custom procedures that were created in your organization.

      • Location - Displays only the custom procedures that were created in the location that you are currently viewing.

      • User - Displays only the custom procedures that were created by the user whose account you are currently logged in with.

      Note: By default, Location is selected the first time you access Imaging. Whichever option you select after that is saved for the next time you view the custom procedures list.

  5. Select the imaging procedure CAD/CAM Scan, which corresponds to the only acquisition type for a CAD/CAM scan.

    The options for the selected procedure become available.

  6. Under Billing Options, set up the following options:

    • Apply charges - Do one of the following:

      • If you are importing scans from another office or provider - Ignore this setting because it will become unavailable when you select the Existing procedure option in a later step.

      • If you are importing scans acquired in your office with non-integrated third-party imaging software - Either select the checkbox to post the fee for the selected procedure (such as CADCAM), or clear the checkbox to post a zero amount for the procedure.

    • Bill to insurance - Do one of the following:

      • If you are importing scans from another office or provider - Ignore this setting because it will become unavailable when you select the Existing procedure option in a later step.

      • If you are importing scans acquired in your office with non-integrated third-party imaging software - Either select the checkbox to bill the patient's insurance carrier for the procedure, or clear the checkbox to not bill the patient's insurance carrier for the procedure.

    • Select provider - Select the provider who you want to associate with the procedure.

      Note: Only providers who have access to the current location and who are flagged as charting providers are available. Also, the provider who is selected by default is determined by the current location's Default procedure provider setting.

  7. Do one of the following:

    • If you are importing scans from another office or provider - On the Import tab, select the Existing Procedure option, and then specify the date that the procedure was performed.

      Note: With this option selected, the Apply charges and Bill to insurance checkboxes under Billing Options become unavailable because the procedure will be posted with a zero dollar fee and will not be billed to insurance. The procedure (which will have an "Existing" status) will appear in the patient's clinical record but not on the patient's ledger.

    • If you are importing scans acquired in your office with non-integrated third-party imaging software - Do one of the following:

      • On the Input tab, select the Import From File device on the Available Devices menu if it is not already selected.

      • On the Import tab, select one of the following options:

        • Existing Procedure - Use this for a procedure that was performed prior to today (and may already have been billed to the patient's insurance carrier). Specify the date that the procedure was performed.

          Note: With this option selected, the Apply charges and Bill to insurance checkboxes under Billing Options become unavailable because the procedure will be posted with a zero dollar fee and will not be billed to insurance. The procedure (which will have an "Existing" status) will appear in the patient's clinical record but not on the patient's ledger.

        • Completed Procedure - Use this for a procedure that you performed today. Today's date and time will be associated with the procedure.

          Note: The procedure (which will have a "Completed" status) will appear in the patient's clinical record and on the patient's ledger.

  8. Click (or tap) Start.

  9. Import one or more images:

    1. In the Import File dialog box that appears, select the correct CAD/CAM scan files.

    2. Click (or tap) Open.

      The selected scans appear as thumbnail images on the panel at the bottom of the Dentrix Ascend Imaging program.

      Note: If a scan has metadata that indicates the orientation (upper, lower, or bite), the image is automatically mounted in the correct slot of the template; however, you can drag the image to another box if necessary. If all the scans are mounted automatically, and you do not need to move any to other orientation boxes, you can skip to step e.

    3. One at a time, drag the thumbnail images from the panel to the correct orientation box of the template: Maxilla (Upper), Mandible (Lower), or Buccal (Bite).

      Note: For a template slot with multiple images, you can navigate between the images in the stack by clicking (or tapping) the corresponding Next or Previous button as needed.

    4. Click (or tap) Begin Uploading to save the mounted images to the patient's record.

    5. If not all thumbnail images have been mounted to the template when you click (or tap) Begin Uploading or Cancel, a message appears, stating that unassigned images will not be saved to the patient's record.

      Click one of the following buttons:

      • Send to Recovery - To save the unassigned images. You can assign them to the patient later using the existing functionality for recovering images.

      • Discard Images - To delete the unassigned images permanently.

      • Stay on Page - To return to where you were so you can assign unassigned images or make other changes.

  10. Assign tooth numbers as needed:

    1. Click the Edit button .

      The Assign Tooth Numbers dialog box appears.

    2. To change dentition, click (or tap) the Toggle primary/permanent link to show a tooth chart and the dentition buttons, select the applicable teeth, and then click (or tap) the Permanent or Primary button. Repeat this process as needed to change the dentition of other teeth. Then, click (or tap) the Back to assignment link.

    3. Select the correct tooth numbers, or deselect tooth numbers as needed.

    4. Click (or tap) Assign Teeth.