Contents
Getting started
Upon launching the DentalDB application, the following job definition window is presented to you. This one is already filled out:

![]() | Throughout exocad, the question mark in the upper right corner of any window will bring you to the online help page for that window |
Defining job details
To define your job, proceed as follows:
- Select the Client (dentist) [1]. You can either select the Client number or the Client name; the other field will update accordingly.
- To add a new client to the database, click edit "..." [2] – a dialog will open that allows you to select from your list of clients (dentists) or enter a new one.
![]() | In the Client window at the Client ID pulldown [1], you can start typing the first characters of a client's first or last name, and the selection will auto fill ("type ahead find") |
- Select the Name of the patient or case [3].
![]() | You can also type in a new patient name in the field – the new name will automatically be added to the database as soon as you save your job. |
- Select Technician [4] (the same way as you select the Client).
- Notes [5] can be added / entered here that relate to the specifics of the case. ( i.e. what type of implant, which tooth library anatomy, or other details of the Rx ).
- Select the restorations and materials by clicking on the tooth arches [6] – see link Defining jobs for individual teeth for details. Colors are used to mark / indicate the different types of restorations in the tooth bow; an index is available [7].
- Define connectors using the toggle buttons [8].
- Green: A connector will be created between the teeth.
- Grey: A connector will not be created between the teeth (click to toggle).
- Red: A connector may not be created, because the material of the adjacent teeth differs.
- No toggle button present: One of the selected types does not permit connectors
By default, connectors will be defined automatically whenever you define a pontic. So in practice, you will use this feature mostly to add connectors between adjacent crowns or copings.
- To use an antagonist scan, select "Antagonist" for at least one tooth in the arch opposing your restoration(s), and define the type of Scan mode using [9]. Available Scan Modes are:
- One stone model, antagonist provided using bite registration putty
- Two stone models, scanned in occlusion, but not mounted in an articulator
- Two stone models, scanned using articulator A (Artex-style)
- Two stone models, scanned with an articulator P (Artex-programmable style)
- Two stone models, scanned with an articulator S (SAM style)
- Digital Impression scan, or a scan from an intra-oral scanner
- You may also select Tooth shade [10] for the entire job. Individual tooth shades can be specified in the individual tooth definition window.
Multidie Mode
Another job option is scan multiple offset copings, inlay/onlays, or waxups using the scanner-specific multi-die plate. To enable this feature, click Multidie mode [11]. Simply type in a Name for each die position to be used, and click on the corresponding tooth position to specify the restoration type for that particular die in the plate.
Project Menu
- "Save" adds the current job details to the database, and create a project file folder which will hold all the data (project file, preview, scan file(s) and construction files) related to this job.
- "Load" enables re-loading of previously saved jobs, importing jobs from other labs, or importing jobs from intraoral scanners. See the "Loading Jobs" section for details.

- "Duplicate copies the current job into a new job, creating a new project folder. The project and preview images are automatically created. There are options to include or exclude copying of scan and/or construction files. Duplication of scene files .dentalCAD is not possible to avoid inconsistency issues during design if you change the job description or parameters.
![]() | If you want to keep the scene file for different variants of one project, just copy the existing .dentalCAD scene file from original project to the new project directory. |
- "New" If an existing job is present, the DB prompts you to either save or discard the current job. Then, it clears all of the the current job details, and allows a new job to be created.
Actions Menu
Once a job is saved or loaded from the DB Menu, the following options become available in the Actions Menu [15]:
- "Scan"- launches the exoscan or 3rd party scan software, using the current job definition.
- "Design" - launches the exocad Dental CAD app using the current job definition.
- "Manufacture" - launches exocam or a 3rd party CAM, for local fabrication of the current job.
- "ModelCreator" - starts the model design for the current case. Removable dies can be created for each tooth, prep, or ridge area; articulators are supported.
- "dentalshare" - encrypts, compresses, and sends selected project files to a remote destination over Exocad's data transfer network (HIPPA compliant).
- "Upload" - sends the design to a remote site, such as a production center, the local copy in the project folder is preserved.
- "Copy" - copies the design to a manufacturing directory, which can be on the local machine or over a local area network (LAN).
Note: Your Actions Menu may not have all these options depending on the specific features offered by your system vendor.
Project Status
The top area [12] is an image preview pane, displaying small thumbnails of each file in current project folder. You can use Drag & Drop functionality to add additional images of your choice (e.g. you can drag and drop patient photos from a digital camera or from your email client directly here). Double-click an image thumbnail to open it in your favorite image viewer, right-click it to access its context menu.
Below the image pane is the project status indicator [13], showing green if the process (scan, design, upload or NC/CAM) are completed. Green indicates complete, while pink indicates still to be done.
"Open in explorer" [14] allows you to open the current project directory in Windows Explorer.
DB Options
The options of the DentalDB can be accessed and modified only if a project has not been defined yet. In the "blank" main view of the DentalDB, without a project being defined, the section Options is displayed under the Notes field.
Clicking on Material configuration (local) [A] opens a configuration dialogue which allows you to change the material configuration.
Clicking on Settings [B] opens a configuration dialog which allows you to change the multidie plate, the language of the user interface and switch between FDI tooth numbering (11-48), Universal Numbering System (1-32, US) or the Palmer Notation system.
Clicking on About [C] shows the version of the DentalDB application and the dongle serial number.