CASE WORKFLOW

Case Consultation Workflow

The basic workflow for an Active Aligners case, from the initial consultation and records through to creating the case and starting treatment planning.

Download the full guide (PDF)

Open Doctor’s Library

Initial consultation

Take intra-oral scans. Check the records against the scan-quality standards below before submitting the case.
Take the required quality-control photos (8 photos).
Gather any other supporting documentation you feel the case needs (x-rays, etc.).

Post consultation

Create the case on the portal: log on, use the photos and any supporting digital documentation to create a new case, and put all digital information into one .zip file. Include STL scans in the initial .zip if you have them. Rename the file patients_name.zip for normal cases or patients_name_ref.zip for refinements (the file name must be unique for every case). Contact the team if unsure how to use the file.
If scans aren’t loaded manually, they can be sent to the lab to be loaded (contact the lab for connection assistance based on your scanner type).
Treatment planning proceeds once all information has been loaded onto the case.

QUALITY-CONTROL PHOTOS

The required photo set

Take the required quality-control photos at the consultation, eight in total. Provide the standard clinical photo set so the plan reflects the real smile, not just the scan. Good photos help the planning team and help you check the proposal. These images go into the .zip file you use to create the case on the portal, so capture them before the patient leaves the chair.

The required quality-control photos, eight in total
Any other supporting documentation you feel the case needs, such as x-rays
A complete prescription stating your treatment goals and any specific instructions

If any images will be used beyond the clinical record, ensure a signed photo release is in place. The clearer the brief, the closer the proposed plan will be to what you want.

SCAN QUALITY

Scan-quality standards

Check that the scan captures every tooth, including at least half of the 8s where they are present, and 2 to 4mm of gingival tissue. Look for holes, missing anatomy or debris attached to anatomy. Capture the patient’s natural bite accurately and check the clinical bite on both sides. If the patient has a natural edge-to-edge bite, capture it as it is.

Full arch, all anatomy

Capture every tooth, including at least half of the 8’s where they are present, with nothing cut off at the ends of the arch.

Clear gingival margin

Show 2 to 4mm of gingival tissue around the teeth so the margin reads cleanly and tooth and gum stay distinct.

A true bite

Capture the patient’s natural bite accurately and check the clinical bite on both sides. If the patient has a natural edge-to-edge bite, capture it as it is.

Inspect the scan before sending it. Rescan any missing anatomy or debris, and check that the bite matches the patient’s clinical bite.

If 8’s are present, we need at least half of them
We need to see 2 to 4mm of gingival margin

DIGITAL SCANS

Uploading your scan

Submit intra-oral scans in STL format. Check the records against the scan-quality standards above before uploading.

If you scan, you can upload the STL files directly to the platform, or connect to the Active Aligners lab and have us load them onto the case you created.

digital scan quality guide

Scan strategy guide

SUBMISSION TO PLAN

From submission to treatment plan

Once your records and case are on the platform, the workflow follows a clear sequence. Treatment planning proceeds once all information has been loaded onto the case. The order appears under “Sent for Design”, the lab adds the scans, and treatment planning begins, around 72 hours. Once planned, the case moves to Needs Approval, where you can review the 3D simulation, the IPR required and at which stage, attachment positions, and a downloadable treatment-plan PDF.

Create the case on the portal with your quality-control images and scans in one .zip file, named for the patient.
The lab adds the scans onto the case you created.
Treatment planning begins once all information is loaded, around 72 hours.
The case moves to Needs Approval. Review the 3D simulation, IPR, attachment positions and the treatment-plan PDF.
Approve and send to manufacture, send the plan link to the patient or a peer for review, or request a redesign.

Guide to case creation

Case submission requirements