CASE WORKFLOW
Guide to Case Creation
How to create and submit a new case on the design platform, from preparing your files to approving the treatment plan and sending to manufacture.
BEFORE YOU START
Before you start
Only the Dental Professional’s login can create a new case for that practice on the platform. Once the case is created, the lab can update it with scan files (sent directly to the lab or from digitally scanned impressions). Send scans to smile@smileclub.co.za. The only way to create a new case is with a .zip file containing your quality-control images and/or scans.
If you are not sure what belongs in that .zip, run through the case submission requirements first, they are your pre-submission checklist for records, photos, prescription and consent. For a patient who is still weighing up treatment, the case consultation workflow walks through the conversation before you create the case here.
Create the .zip file
Select all your quality-control images, right-click and choose “Send to” → “Compressed (zipped) folder”. Name the .zip file with the patient’s name when saving (e.g. patient_name.zip).
CREATE THE CASE ON THE DESIGN PORTAL
Create the case on the design portal
Confirm the .zip file is saved as patient_name.zip
Log in to the 3Shape Design Portal (design.3shape.com, your username is your email address; you can also access it via activealigners.com). Use the password reset link if needed.
Click New Cases (bottom right)
Drag and drop your zip folder, or browse and select it
Select Design type Clear Aligners, Anterior (a refinement should only be created after a patient has completed an Active Aligners treatment)
Fill in the patient name and any special instructions
Select the arches to be treatment-planned (one or both, as needed)
Complete Add-Ons / modifiers. Under retainers, select “Yes, export retainers” for your free set (without attachments). Note: extra charges apply for model clean-up and bracket removal if selected.
Submit the case for treatment planning (blue arrow, top right)
The order appears under “Sent for Design”. The lab adds scans/scans of impressions, and treatment planning begins (around 72 hours). Open the case via the blue order ID; add extra quality-control images if needed.
Once planned, the case moves to Needs Approval. Choose Actions → Review case to view the 3D simulation, the IPR required and at which stage, the attachment positions, and a downloadable treatment-plan PDF.
APPROVE AND SEND
Approve, redesign, or check holds
If you’re happy with the outcome, tick “I am the prescribing Dr”, the Approve and send to Manufacture button becomes available. The Actions button also lets you send the treatment-plan link to the patient or doctor. By South African law, nothing can be manufactured without a lab slip, bookmark the online lab slip so it’s available whenever you submit a job. You can also send a case to Redesign if you’re not happy. If a case is on hold, check the Activity tab for the reason, typically: no scans uploaded, scans not acceptable quality, the patient is not a candidate, or the planners need more information.
Related resources
Case submission requirements
Get the records, photos and prescription right before you create the case.
Case consultation workflow
How the conversation with a patient flows before a case is created.
Attachments and IPR
Read the guide to attachments and the guide to IPR before you approve.
Ready to submit a case?
Package your records, create the case on the design platform, and the lab takes it from there. New to Active Aligners? Start with the provider onboarding.