PLATFORM HELP
Workflow platform help and tips
Everything you need to move a case through the design platform, from creating it and uploading scans to reading the treatment plan, approving it and requesting a refinement. Use this as your quick reference, then open the full guides in the Doctor’s Library.
CREATE A CASE
How to create a case
Only the Dental Professional’s login can create a new case for that practice on the platform. The only way to create a new case is with a .zip file containing your quality-control images and, or, scans. Select all your quality-control images, right-click and choose “Send to”, then “Compressed (zipped) folder”, and name the .zip file with the patient’s name when saving (for example patient_name.zip).
- Confirm the .zip file is saved as
patient_name.zip - Log in to the design portal (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 and modifiers, then submit the case for treatment planning (blue arrow, top right)
UPLOAD SCANS
How to upload scans and impressions
Once the case is created, the lab can update it with scan files, sent directly to the lab or taken from digitally scanned impressions. Intra-oral scans can be exported as .stl files for third-party software, or sent through the free Connect Case Centre. Scans of impressions can also be sent directly to the lab. Send scans to smile@smileclub.co.za.
Submit a clean, full-arch digital scan, or accurate physical impressions, capturing clear margins and a true bite. The records are the foundation the whole case is planned on, so quality here prevents avoidable refinements later. Distortions, voids or missing margins lead to ill-fitting aligners and avoidable refinements, so getting records right the first time saves time for everyone.
For the detail on scanning technique, see the scan strategy guide, the art of impression taking and the full case submission requirements.
READ THE PLAN
How to read the treatment plan
The order first appears under “Sent for Design”. The lab adds your scans, or scans of your impressions, and treatment planning begins (around 72 hours). You can open the case via the blue order ID and add extra quality-control images if needed. Once planned, the case moves to Needs Approval.
Choose Actions, then Review case, to view the plan in detail. The 3D simulation, the IPR required and at which stage, attachment positions, and a downloadable treatment-plan PDF are all there for you to review before you decide.
- The 3D simulation of the planned tooth movement, stage by stage
- The IPR required and at which stage it is performed
- Attachment positions across the arches
- A downloadable treatment-plan PDF for your records
If you are happy with the outcome, tick “I am the prescribing Dr” and 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. The treating dentist remains responsible for case selection, consent, approval and every final clinical decision.
REFINEMENTS AND HOLDS
How to request a refinement or clear a hold
A refinement should only be created after a patient has completed an Active Aligners treatment. Refinements are the extra aligners needed when teeth don’t track as planned, and across the industry they are common, but with Active Aligners they are the exception. Our typical refinement rate is 25 to 35%. To request one, create the new case the same way you created the original, attaching updated records for the patient who has finished their initial treatment.
If you are not happy with a proposed plan, you can send the case to Redesign rather than approving it. If a case is on hold, check the Activity tab for the reason. The most common reasons are listed below.
- No scans uploaded yet
- Scans not of acceptable quality
- The patient is not a candidate
- The planners need more information
GET HELP
Where to get help
You are never on your own with a case. The Doctor’s Library holds the full step-by-step guides, the prescription template, consent forms and the scanning and impression resources. For anything else, reach the team on WhatsApp support once you become a provider, or email smile@smileclub.co.za and we will help you get the case moving.
Ready to move your next case?
Follow the full case-creation guide, or open the Doctor’s Library for every form and resource in one place.