Scan before debond to make retainer delivery smoother.

Why scan before debond?

When a patient comes in for debond, the office wants the appointment to feel complete. Braces come off, the smile is revealed, and the patient leaves protected. If the retainer is not ready, the team has to add another appointment, explain the gap, or rely on a temporary plan.

A pre-debond scan gives the lab a head start. The orthodontic office scans while brackets are still on, sends the file, and the lab digitally removes brackets and wires before fabricating the retainer.

The workflow

1. Scan the arches while brackets are still on.
2. Send the STL, OBJ, or PLY file to the lab with the appliance request.
3. The lab removes brackets and wires digitally.
4. The retainer is fabricated, trimmed, and polished.
5. The office debonds and delivers the retainer the same day.

What to include with the case

Include the patient identifier your office normally uses, upper or lower arch instructions, material preference if needed, and the debond date. If there are spaces, pontics, unusual anatomy, or a specific trim preference, include that note when the scan is sent.

When it works best

This workflow is strongest for offices that already scan digitally and want fewer follow-up visits after debond. It also works well for practices in Phoenix, Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek, and Scottsdale that want local communication and next-business-day lab support.