Dental Monitoring is an advanced, AI-powered tool and mobile app designed to scan patients' teeth and track their orthodontic progress in real time. It monitors over 130 key metrics—including treatment compliance, oral hygiene, and issues like cracked aligners—helping doctors identify and address issues sooner to ensure smoother, more efficient care.
This innovative software offers a wide range of benefits when used alongside clear aligner therapy. To learn more, check out our detailed article: [Dental Monitoring® – Partnership Features & Benefits].
In this article, we will explain how to get started using the device with your patient.
💡 Note: As an Orthosnap provider, your practice will be automatically enrolled in Dental Monitoring. You’ll receive an email with instructions to set up a new password, which you’ll use to access the Dental Monitoring platform moving forward.
Dental Monitoring Onboarding Video
1. Case Submission 📥
During case submission, add the patient's email and phone number so we may get them set up on the Dental Monitoring app.
2. DM App Download and Activation 💾
Once you approve the treatment plan with Orthosnap, your patient will get an email with instructions to download and activate the DM app before the aligner insertion appointment.
💡 Note: If your patient hasn’t received their activation email, please ask them to check their spam or junk mail folder. The email they should look for has the subject line:
"Hi [Patient’s Name], Welcome to Dental Monitoring!"
and it is sent from support@dental-monitoring.com.
Please refer to the example email below for reference.
If the email still isn’t found in the spam or junk folder, you can refer to this article for instructions on how to resend the activation link using DM Link.
Alternatively, feel free to contact us directly for further assistance—we’re happy to help!
3. Insertion and Delivery Day 🚚
On the day of clear aligner insertion, you'll walk your patient through the device setup and their first scan.
💡 Note: You can schedule the patient once the aligners are received—or even earlier, as soon as they’re marked as shipped in the Orthosnap portal (just be sure to allow a bit of lead time for delivery).
We’ll send the Dental Monitoring kit with the patient’s first set of aligners.
Equipment Needed: 🧰
Orthosnap Patient Box with the patient's aligners
Dental Monitoring® ScanBox
A mirror
Instructions: 📝
Ensure the patient has downloaded the Dental Monitoring app on their smartphone.
The patient should activate the app using the link in their email inbox.
4. Start Monitoring 📈
Click "Start Monitoring" from the patient's case on the OS portal. Perform the 1st scan in the office
The first scan must be performed and submitted during the in-office visit.
Once activated, Dental Monitoring will begin tracking the patient’s progress, and the platform will notify the clinician of any treatment issues, compliance risks, or suggested aligner transitions.
Guide the Patient Through Their First Scan 🤳
Bring the patient in front of a mirror so they can see what they're doing during the scan. Walk them through the process step by step.
Once they’ve completed the scan correctly, they can go ahead and submit it through the app.
Note: If the app suggests moving to the next aligner, disregard the message—this is their very first scan, and treatment has just begun.
Home Instructions 🏠
Before leaving, make sure your patient understands these at-home steps:
Take your scan on the LAST day of your aligner wear schedule.
After uploading your scan, wait for instructions before proceeding to change aligners.
If they receive a “Go Notification,” the patient is cleared to move on to the next step in their treatment.
If they receive a “No-Go Notification,” follow the instructions provided in the app on how to proceed. This may include continuing with your current aligners for another day or two, using chewies, or some other guidance.
Each patient will receive a take-home instruction sheet inside their patient box. This guide includes:
Aligner care tips
Step-by-step instructions for using Dental Monitoring
Helpful reminders for staying on track with treatment
When a DM Box Is Not Needed 📦➡️❌
We generally do not include a DM box for very short cases, defined as cases with fewer than 15 aligners in total. These cases are typically straightforward and are manufactured and delivered as a single batch rather than in multiple stages.
Because of this:
There is usually no need for ongoing monitoring throughout treatment.
Mid-course adjustments are rarely required.
Phased or batch reordering of aligners is unnecessary.
The treatment plan is fully established from the start, with all aligners designed to progress sequentially without interruption.
The additional functionality provided by a DM box, such as treatment monitoring, adjustments, or batch-based manufacturing, does not offer significant clinical or operational value for cases of this length.
By streamlining the process for short cases, we’re able to maintain efficiency while ensuring the treatment remains predictable and effective. That said, if you have any specific clinical concerns or prefers to include a DM box for additional oversight, we’re always happy to accommodate upon request.
If you have any additional questions or concerns, feel free to click here to contact us, we’re here to help!🌟