Frequently Asked Questions

Who can service my CBCT scanner?

IDT Scans does not sell or service CBCT scanners. If you have an i-CAT, Gendex, Instrumentarium or KaVo scanner please contact:

DEXIS
Orega Stockley Park
4 Longwalk Road
Stockley Park, Uxbridge
UB11 1FE
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 8756 3325
E-Mail: ImagingUK@dexis.com

How can I get a Simplant password?

Please click here to obtain a Simplant password online from Dentsply Sirona. A CCKey is required.

I can see only one jaw in Simplant

In Simplant Planner or Pro, please go to the “Plan” menu at the top of the screen and select either “Maxilla” or “Mandible”.

In Simplant View, only one jaw can be displayed, so you will need a different file to display the other jaw.

Where can I download Simplant software?

Simplant is now sold by Dentsply Sirona. Please click here to access Dentsply Sirona’s Simplant download page. Simplant software versions 17 and older are no longer supported by Dentsply Sirona since January 1st, 2022 and it is not possible to place Simplant Guide orders from these older software versions.

You can download older versions of Simplant from this page.

For Simplant OneShot and the Implant Libraries please visit IDT’s Software page.

Simplant View, Simplant OneShot and the Implant Libraries are free, the other versions of Simplant require a licence to be paid for.

How can I move Simplant to a new computer?

Please click here to see which version of Simplant you are entitled to. Then download and install the corresponding version of Simplant from the latest version or older versions.

For version 17 and older, please download and install the software from this page then download and install the latest Implant Libraries from this page.

Your old Simplant cases should be stored in C:\DentalData so you may wish to copy this folder to your new computer as well.

Once the software and implant libraries have been installed, please contact Simplant Support and give them your CCKey and your new SystemID and ask for a new password.

Where can I obtain Simplant support?

Simplant is now sold by Dentsply Sirona. Please contact the following for support:

Dentsply Sirona Simplant Customer Service
Tel: +44 1453 793190
Web: www.orderdigitalsolutions.com/Help/ContactUs
Email: simplant-uk-support@dentsplysirona.com; simplant-europe@dentsplysirona.com

How can I send CBCT data to IDT Scans?

Please send the data to us electronically. You can send up to 20 files by clicking on this link:
https://www.mailbigfile.com/simplantscans

If you have a folder containing a large number of image files, please right-click on the folder and select “Send to Compressed (zipped) folder” to create a single zip file which you can then send to us by clicking on the link above.

Please visit our extensive Knowledge Base for further information, or Contact Us.

What training do I need to request a CBCT scan and interpret the results?

Most Imaging Centres will accept requests for new dental CT or CBCT scans from Registered Dentists with a Level 1 Certificate only. The Guidance Notes for Dental Practitioners on the Safe Use of X-ray Equipment provides useful training information on pages 61-62.

You should have received sufficient and appropriate training before referring your patient for a CT or CBCT scan. A number of providers including the British Dental Association (BDA) provide Core (Level 1) Training in Dental CBCT which is suitable for Referrers.

If you intend to evaluate the scan yourself (and record your findings in the patient’s notes) you will need additional training, such as the Level 2 course offered by the BDA. Level 2 courses are offered by Cavendish Imaging and a number of other providers also.

Information for the Patient

What is a Dental CT or CBCT Scan?

Computed Tomography (CT) or Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) uses computer software to create images of the body from a series of x-ray measurements. In the case of a medical CT scanner, the patient lies on a flat surface called a “table” and the x-ray equipment rotates around the patient’s body. (The x-ray tube and detectors are housed in a large doughnut-shaped apparatus called a “gantry”, so they are not usually visible). During the CT scan, the patient table moves through the gantry while the x-ray tube and detectors rotate rapidly around it. In this way, very accurate x-ray measurements are taken from a large number of different directions. The computer software then has the task of putting these measurements together to make a series of images of the human body. Sometimes these can be displayed as 3-dimensional (3D) views, to make a very realistic presentation.

While medical CT scanners are highly accurate, they are expensive machines and are usually located in hospitals or large imaging centres. Many dental scans are carried out on special equipment called cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanners, which are smaller machines that can conveniently be located in a dental practice. The patient sits or stands in the CBCT scanner, while the x-ray tube and detectors rotate around the patient’s head. A typical dental CBCT scan takes 20 seconds or less to complete.

How is CT or CBCT different from conventional x-rays?

Conventional x-rays are two-dimensional - they can show the location of your teeth and the height of the bone, but they cannot depict the thickness of your jawbone. Two-dimensional x-rays can be subject to distortion, depending on the magnification used.

A CT or CBCT scan, on the other hand, is distortion free. The scan provides valuable information about the interior of the bone, and the results can be displayed as a 3D presentation, or as cross-sectional views of your jaws. These distortion-free images allow your dentist to accurately measure the amount of bone that is available for dental implants. Dental CT or CBCT scans enable your dentist to select the best location for your implants, and plan the details of your treatment with pinpoint accuracy, so there will be no surprises at the time of surgery.

Dental CT or CBCT scans can help your dentist determine whether you are a good candidate for implant surgery. They can also be very useful in diagnosing conditions such as fractured roots, impacted or supernumerary teeth, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or airway disorders.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are titanium roots placed directly into the bone of the jaw to support replacement teeth. The dentist or surgeon needs to know whether there is enough bone of adequate consistency to support the implants. The images generated from reformatted CT or CBCT scans provide exactly that information.

In cases where the quantity or quality of the patient’s natural bone is not sufficient, bone grafts can be used to build up the implant site. Once the implant has been placed and allowed to heal, it becomes firmly embedded in the bone (a process known as osseointegration).

Dental implants hold out the promise of restoring your mouth permanently without the use of removable dentures. It is the next best thing to “getting your own teeth back”. Biting and chewing with successful implants is the same as with normal teeth. However, this precise and sophisticated technology requires careful planning, based on highly accurate imaging, to be effective.

Why do I need a dental CT or CBCT scan?

Because a CT or CBCT study tells your dentist a lot more than conventional x-rays, it helps him or her prepare for your surgery in more detail. By studying the CT or CBCT scan, your dentist will know the exact location of anatomical structures, the contours of your jaw bone, and the best sites for your implants, before the surgery takes place. That means less operating time, and fewer complications. By sending you for this type of study your dentist is providing you with the very best possible care.

What is IDT’s role in this process?

Image Diagnostic Technology Ltd (trading as IDT Scans) has over 30 years’ experience with dental CT and CBCT scans, and we can assist your dentist at each step of the way.

First, your dentist can choose from one of the hospitals or imaging centres we have trained to meet our Quality Assurance criteria. Second, we carry out any reformatting of the data that is needed after the scan (for example, generating 3D views). Third, we send the resulting images to your dentist in a format that is compatible with the software he or she will be using to plan your treatment. Last but not least, we are available to provide help and technical assistance at each step of the way, making sure that everything goes smoothly and your dentist has all the information needed to provide you with the best possible treatment.

What will happen during the scan?

You do not need to prepare for the dental CT or CBCT scan. You may be asked to remove any jewellry from your head and neck, so that it does not interfere with the study. On a medical CT scanner, you will be lying face up on a comfortable CT scanner table. On a CBCT scanner, you will be imaged sitting or standing up.

Your dentist may provide you with a special denture (also called a “scanning appliance” or “stent”) to wear during the scan. If your dentist didn’t provide you with a stent, the radiographer may provide something for you to bite on. This will separate your jaws and help you to keep them entirely still.

Keeping still and not moving for those few seconds or minutes that the scan takes is very important, otherwise clear pictures will not be obtained, and the scan may have to be repeated.

The radiographer will explain each stage before it happens. You will not feel anything and the only part of your body inside the scanner will be your head. In 5 to 10 minutes you will be finished.

After the scan the radiographer will send the data to IDT Scans for processing and analysis on our computers. IDT Scans will send the final results to your dentist. And that’s all there is to it!

Where do I go?

Some dentists have CBCT scanners in their dental practice, other dentists will ask IDT Scans to arrange an appointment at a Hospital or Imaging Centre convenient for you.

If your dentist gives you a “scanning appliance” or “stent”, please be sure to take it with you and wear it during the scan, as the radiographer may be unable to perform the study without it.

How do I pay?

Some Private Hospitals and Imaging Centre will accept payment on the day of the scan. Please check with your dentist or with IDT Scans to see if this is the case.

For most Public (NHS or HSE) Hospitals, you will need to pay IDT Scans in advance. You can pay by Bank Transfer, or we can send you a link to pay online by Credit Card or PayPal. Unfortunately we cannot accept payment by cheque or over the phone.

Please do not delay in making payment, otherwise your treatment may be delayed.

Can I claim the cost on my health insurance?

Many insurance companies do not pay for dental treatment or the associated imaging. Some insurance companies do cover this element of your dental treatment with ‘add-ons’ which are issued at an additional premium.

Please consult your insurance company prior to your CT or CBCT scan, to find out whether the scan is covered by your insurance. IDT Scans can provide any general information that is requested, however, we cannot discuss your specific treatment with the insurance company.

What about the radiation aspects?

There has been considerable publicity recently regarding the radiation doses received from a number of medical procedures. At IDT Scans we are constantly working with our scanning site partners to ensure that radiation doses are kept “as low as reasonably achievable” (ALARA). The radiation dose varies from patient to patient, but is typically in the range of 100 to 500 microSievert for a dental CT scan performed on a medical CT scanner. For a dental CBCT scan the dose is usually lower, around 25 to 150 microSievert.

To put this in perspective, everyone in the UK receives about 2000 microSievert annually from natural background radiation, so the dose from a dental CT or CBCT scan is the same as the dose you would have received anyway, in the next few days or weeks, through natural background radiation.

A dental CT or CBCT scan (or any type of x-ray) can only be taken if the expected benefits to the patient vastly outweigh the risks. One of the main benefits of a dental CT or CBCT scan is avoiding complications during surgery. On the other hand, the risks are very low (so low that we cannot measure them or calculate them accurately). Nevertheless, there is no point in receiving radiation that you do not need. For this reason, your dentist will choose an imaging procedure (CT, CBCT or conventional x-ray) that provides the best possible balance between high quality images and low radiation dose.

Where can I find out more?

For further information on dental CT and CBCT scans please contact IDT Scans.

For further information on ‘Dental Implants’ please speak with your dentist, or contact a professional body such as the Association of Dental Implantology.

For government regulations concerning radiation dose please refer to IR(ME)R 2017 in the UK and SI 256 of 2018 in Ireland.

Information for the Dentist

From Scan to Plan to Guide

With the advent of free software such as Blue Sky Plan it is now possible to design your own surgical drill guides and manufacture them using a 3D printer. In principle, you can do all the steps yourself. In practice however, you may find it more convenient and a better use of your time to let IDT Scans do some of the processes for you.

Requesting a CT or CBCT scan

The first step in the process is to obtain a CT or CBCT scan of your patient. If you do not have your own CBCT scanner, we can direct you to a suitable Imaging Centre. Please enter a Town or Postcode and our search engine will locate an Imaging Centre conveniently close to you.

Preparing your patient for the scan

Not all dental CT or CBCT scans are performed with the intention of ordering a surgical drill guide. However, if you think there is any possibility that a guide might be required, please consider the following points before requesting the CT or CBCT scan:

• bone-supported guides can be suitable for any patient, provided there is at least 3cm clear space between the existing teeth. Bone-supported guides fit directly on the bone and are very stable. However, the disadvantage is that you have to raise a large flap during surgery.
  
• mucosa-supported guides are suitable for edentulous patients only. Mucosa-supported guides can only be made for patients who have been scanned wearing a suitable (e.g., radio-opaque) scanning appliance or stent.
  
• tooth-supported guides are suitable for partially edentulous patients. In this case, an accurate intra-oral scan or optical scan of a plaster cast is needed. This is required to make sure the guide will fit accurately on the patient’s teeth.
• full arch scans (not sectional scans) are usually required for accurate registration of the optical scan with the patient’s teeth.

If you would like to discuss which type of guide is most suitable for your patient, please Contact Us before the CT or CBCT scan takes place.

Planning the implant locations

After the scan takes place, you will need to plan the implant locations using Simplant, InVivo Dental, Blue Sky Plan, or other suitable software. IDT Scans can assist you with this through our Implant Simulation service.

If you intend to order a surgical drill guide, please take the following factors into account:

• the implants need to be at least 4mm apart, otherwise there will not be enough space for the guide tubes.
• likewise, the implants need to be at least 2mm from any neighbouring teeth.

If you planned the implants using Simplant, IDT Scans can convert your planning file to Blue Sky Plan format, so that you can design your own surgical drill guide.

Designing the surgical drill guide

Once you are satisfied with the implant locations, you can design the surgical drill guide using Blue Sky Plan software. Once you are satisfied with the design, you can export the STL file to be printed on a 3D printer. Blue Sky Bio charges a small fee (typically around $20) for every STL file that is exported.

Please keep the following factors in mind when designing a surgical drill guide:

• if you intend to guide the pilot drill only you will need metal guide tubes to protect the plastic drill guide from the metal drills. These can be purchased from a number of suppliers including Blue Sky Bio.
• if you intend to guide a sequence of drills you will need to use drill keys. These can be purchased from a number of suppliers including Dentsply Sirona.
• if you intend to use depth control you will need to take the length of the drill into consideration when designing the guide.

IDT Scans can assist you with the above steps (or we can do the whole process for you). Please Contact Us to discuss your requirements further.

Manufacturing the surgical drill guide

In principle, you can print the surgical drill guide on any good quality 3D printer. In practice, there are a number of factors to be taken into account:

• It is important to use a bio-compatible resin, to avoid the possibility of an adverse reaction when the guide is in contact with the patient.
• not all resins can be autoclaved. For most patients, disinfection of the guide before use is satisfactory. However, if you prefer to autoclave the guide, it must be manufactured from a material that can withstand high temperatures.

IDT Scans recommends getting the guide manufactured by a registered Dental Laboratory as they can select the correct materials in compliance with the regulations.

Information for the Imaging Centre

IDT Scans is always on the lookout for conveniently located hospitals or dental practices with top-of-the-line CBCT scanners to join the Imaging Centres listed on our website.

What’s in it for you?

• Working together, we can generate more dental referrals
  
• You don’t need to invest in hardware and software upgrades to produce reformatted images
• You don’t need to print the images onto film or paper or burn them to CD
  
• We offer a fast, secure and reliable electronic image transfer service
• We offer a radiology reporting service
• We have 20 years’ experience in creating 3D models
• We can assist with Implant Simulation and Treatment Planning
  
• We can help your referring dentists to create their own Surgical Drill Guides.

How does it work?

• Referring Dentists visit our website to find an Imaging Centre close and convenient for their patient
  
• The referring dentist requests a scan online at www.idtscans.com or directly with the Imaging Centre
• After the scan, the image data (axial slices and scout views) are sent electronically to IDT Scans
  
• IDT reformats the data and provides the format requested by the referring dentist
  
• We send the reformatted images to the referring dentist within 3-5 working days.

What’s the next step?

• If you are interested in being listed on our website, please contact us now.

Software

Click here for information about the Simplant software family

Click here to download Simplant View

Click here to download Simplant OneShot
(install Simplant OneShot first, then install the Implant Libraries)

Click here to download other versions of Simplant

Click here to download the Implant Libraries
(warning - very large file - may take some time to download)

For further assistance please contact IDT Scans

Downloads

Click here to download Lecture Slides

Click here to download our Publications.

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Downloads

Click here to download Lecture Slides

Click here to download our Publications.

For further assistance please contact IDT Scans

DICOM Uploader

Please click here to upload your DICOM files from CD, USB Stick or Hard Disk Drive to IDT’s PACS Server
(requires Java installed on your computer).

For further assistance please see our Knowledge Base article or contact IDT Scans

Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP)

What is SFTP?

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) are widely used protocols for working with remote files. These protocols allow a user on one computer to transfer files to and from another computer anywhere in the world. If you have downloaded files from the internet, you probably have been using FTP.

Why Use SFTP?

FTP is not secure because it transmits all data (including passwords and usernames) in plain text. Anyone with a packet sniffer can get your password and download your patients’ images!

SFTP is secure because it uses Secure Shell (SSH) for encryption. SFTP encrypts both commands and data, preventing passwords and sensitive information from being transmitted in clear text over the network.

SFTP is functionally similar to FTP but it uses a different protocol. Therefore, you cannot use a standard web browser such as Internet Explorer, Firefox or Chrome to connect to an SFTP server - you must use special client software such as ‘WinSCP’ or ‘Filezilla’.

What SFTP client software is available?

For Windows platforms please download and install WinSCP

For Macintosh OS X please download and install Filezilla

Please Note: There may be some advertisements on the download pages. We do not recommend downloading or installing any software other than WinSCP or Filezilla.

How do I configure and use WinSCP or Filezilla?

For WinSCP on Windows platforms please read this document

For Filezilla on Macintosh OS X please read this document

What’s in my SFTP private directory?

If you ask us to set up an SFTP account for you, we will create a private directory on our server, and in it will be the following 3 folders:

From_IDT: This is the folder where we put the most recently processed cases for you to download. After a period of time you can move these cases into the ‘Old_Cases’ folder.

To_IDT: This folder is available for you to upload images to IDT Scans for processing. Please book the work you want done online at www.idtscans.com

Old_Cases: This folder contains cases done in previous years. You can store them in sub-directories created for each year e.g. ‘2020’ (or earlier) if you wish.