File Transfer is an important element of CAD/CAM system in modern laboratory. We have received many inquiries from milling centers and lab technicians about 3dO Case Collaboration services. Services which provide better information, faster and more secure transfer. Services which can be automated and do not require manual intervention.

Digital images are considered private dental records transfered over public network and it is very important to ensure security of transmission as well as a quality of forwarding information. When choosing the transmission method a special attention should be paid to the following issues:

1. Security of patient records,
2. Speed of large file transfer,
3. Cost of network bandwidth,
4. Reliability of information transferred

Lets review strength and weaknesses of the transfer methods which are available to laboratory today:

* Email attachments.
* FTP Services
* 3dO Collaboration Services

Email attachments are easy to use, but they are not always reliable since they do not handle well large files. Besides attaching file takes time and may be interrupted due to network or computer problems.
Upload timing issue persists with FTP services too and in addition they are often target for unauthorized security attacks. Also FTP service do not provide an easy identifier of file belonging to one or another customer.

3dO Collaboration Services provide crown and bridge laboratory with the ability to follow familiar process of filling up the prescription form, attaching model, pictures or any other instructions to it and “shipping” it to milling center.

Ortho labs transfer file utilizing 3dOFolders – scheduled service, which transfers files to orthodontists seamlessly overnight. 3dOFolders makes laboratory and dental offices fill like they are located at the same place.

File “Receiving” is actually scheduled process which happens at night and does not require human supervision. The files are transferred over secured network to milling center or orthodontists where they are sorted and presented to the operator together with the prescription.

3dO Collaboration services combine email easiness of use with FTP speed providing additional services such as security encryption and transfer scheduling.

Study models are indispensable part orthodontic diagnostic and treatment processes.

Study models traditionally been made out of either plaster or stone served for diagnostic and treatment planning as well as provided physical record of the original malocclusion, any stages during correction and the outcome of treatment.

However study models because they are cast in plaster have a number of the following issues:

• storage and retrieval;
• diagnostic versatility;
• transferability;
• durability.

Since early 2000 number of large companies such as CADent, Digidigm, Orthoplex and others have been offering Study Model Digitizing services to orthodontists.  Their services are designed to resolve issues identified above with physical study models.  Unfortunately, these services are all proprietary, basically locking their users to one provider.  And what is more troubling that they are designed to reduce the role of the smaller lab in the treatment development process.

However, the same service offered by local laboratories can prove to be more beneficial more cost effective to dentists and even accelerate rate of acceptance of digital technology among them.

Digital models have all the advantages of plaster models, apart from being able to hold the casts ‘in your hand’ and provides the clinician with a bit more:

• a simpler and more effective method of measuring and storing data taken from the ‘virtual’ model;
• simpler storage and integration into the patients ‘digital’ file, along with the digital photographs, x-rays and clinical notes;
• simpler retrieval and viewing along with the patients other clinical data—especially at the chairside;
• easy transferral to others in the patient’s healthcare circle via prints or email attachment.
• faster turnaround
• Open architecture

The process of study model production will work the following path:

1. Impressions are made by the Dentist and picked up by his/her original laboratory
2. Laboratory creates Digital Study models utilizing 3D Scanner and Ortho software.
3. Overnight digital models are uploaded from Laboratory PC to Dental Clinic utilizing Secure File Transfer Services
4. Orthodontist reviews models, and demonstrates them to the patient as required.
5. Digital models are retained by File Transfer service provider for necessary number of years. Backup copies are delivered to dental clinic on periodic basis.
6. If the need of model reproduction ever arises then models are milled or printed using STL technology.

3dO Medical IT can enable ortho laboratories to provide study model digitizing services by supplying them with necessary hardware and software. In addition 3dO teams up with laboratory to delivery necessary IT support and training to dental office related to diagnostic software, file transfer, and backup.

Please email us at info@3do.ca for more information.

References: http://jorthod.maneyjournals.org/cgi/content/full/31/4/344