How to capture implant positions with PIC app

 

 

Overview

PIC app allows you to complete a precise implants measurement using your iPhone. This process involves taking a series of photos from different angles and typically takes about 1–2 minutes to complete.

A successful PIC app capture depends on three critical factors:

1. PIC transfer placement (accounts for 80% of success)
2. Photo quality over quantity (angle variation is key)
3. Proper lighting conditions

Before You Start

PIC transfer Placement

Correct PIC transfer placement accounts for 80% of a successful capture. The goal is to prevent PIC transfers from obstructing each other—all 4 dots on each PIC transfer must be visible from as many different angles as possible.

Basic Positioning:

• Position the two most distal or posterior PIC transfers facing the palatal or lingual side (toward the inside of the mouth)
• Orient all anterior PIC transfers toward the vestibular or buccal side (facing outward)

For Complex Cases:

• When multiple implants are very close together, alternate their PIC transfers' orientation to maintain visibility

Recommended Configuration:

• Combine Mini and standard-sized PIC transfers in the same arch for easier captures
• Place standard-sized PIC transfers on the two distal positions in the posterior region for better visibility
• Use Minis in all anterior region positions, which reduces obstructions and provides more room for placement

Angulation:

• Avoid placing PIC transfers completely parallel to each other
• A slight 10-30 degree angulation between PIC transfers helps prevent reflections and improves visibility and capture speed

Lighting Setup

The PIC app relies on ambient lighting for optimal performance.

Recommended Lighting:

• Use your room's ceiling lights for soft, even illumination
• Position the patient at up to 45 degrees or sitting upright with their head facing forward to minimize reflections from ceiling lights

Optional Lighting:

• You can use chair lights, but you must control their intensity and angle relative to the patient
• If they cause strong reflections or shadows on the PIC transfers, the capture might not proceed as expected

Torch Mode:

• If your ambient lighting is insufficient, enable Torch Mode by tapping the settings icon in the upper right of the odontogram screen
• This activates the iPhone's built-in light once capture begins

Mouth Retraction

Choose the best option depending on the patient:

• OptraGate
• Metal retractors
• Plastic retractors
• No retraction (in cases with adequate opening this will be more comfortable for the patient)

Important: When using retractors, mirrors, or any other tools, be careful not to touch the PIC transfers. If PIC transfers rotate during capture due to contact, the capture will not be successful.

Case Setup

Before starting your capture:

1. Create your case in the app
2. Set up your odontogram
3. Double-check that you've entered the correct PIC transfer kit and individual numbers for each position—an incorrect setup will prevent capture completion.

Understanding Focus

The focus during a PIC app capture is fixed, meaning the iPhone must be positioned at the right distance from the patient's mouth.

Using Focus Assist:

• Turn on Focus Assist—the button to the right of the capture button
• This zoomed-in preview helps evaluate focus
• You can enable or disable it during capture as needed

Closer-Farther Technique:

1. Move your iPhone closer to the patient's mouth and watch the PIC transfer dots until they become blurry
2. Move the iPhone slowly back until they are sharp, then blurry again
3. Return to the sweet spot between these two extremes where the dots appear sharpest
4. Repeat this technique before each photo until you get used to intuitively finding the right distance

Note: It is normal for the optimal capture distance to be closer or farther than expected depending on the iPhone model you use.

Capture process

Taking your first photo

1. Position yourself directly in front of the patient to begin. 
2. Center the PIC transfers inside the rectangle outline on your screen
3. Tap on the Focus Assist icon to the right of the capture button. Find the correct distance by slowly moving your phone closer or farther until the round white dots on the PIC transfers appear sharp and clear.
4. Include as many PIC transfers as possible in the frame. Avoid obstructions that hide some of the white dots: they must all be visible in the majority of photos.
5. Hold the iPhone firmly with both hands to prevent shake, then take the photo

Continuing the capture

1. After each photo, change your position by moving left, right, up, or down as much as possible.
2. Frame the PIC transfers again and check your focus again
3. Take another photo
4. Continue this process, taking photos from different perspectives every few seconds. It is recommended to include the following angles:

• • Front angle views
  • Left and right side angles (the farthest possible angulation, e.g. 30-45º degrees from center)
  • Elevated angles
  • Lowered angles

Important Guidelines:

• Make your off-center photos as angled as possible at the beginning while maintaining visibility of most PIC transfer dots
• The goal is to keep all or most PIC transfer dots visible in the majority of photos
• For some angles, it's fine if some PIC transfers are obstructed—just ensure that at least two to three different PIC transfers have all their 4 dots visible at all times
• After each photo, change your position by moving left, right, up, or down as much as possible
• Frame the PIC transfers again and check your focus before each photo

Monitoring progress

A progress circle appears in the top part of the screen above the odontogram.

Normal Behavior:

• Will remain at 0% during the first 3-5 photos—this is normal until initial data is measured
• Your photos are processed in the cloud, so updates take a few seconds after the last photo taken, depending on your connection
• It is normal for the progress percentage to descend occasionally as the algorithm processes data and suboptimal photos are discarded
• Significant or repeated drops may suggest that your recent photos weren't optimal due to focus, lighting, or other factors

Continue taking photos from different angles until progress reaches 100%. A message will appear when your capture is complete.

Odontogram Status Colors

The odontogram shows position-specific capture status for all implants:

• Red positions: Haven't been recognized yet—you must try to include them in all your next photos
• Yellow positions: Already recognized by the algorithm but need more data to fully measure their position—continue including them in as many photos as possible
• Green positions: Fully measured—once all positions are green, a few more photos may still be needed to finalize measurement

Network Speed Indicator

The upper left corner shows a network speed indicator:

• Green bars: Optimal connection speed for capture
• Yellow bars: Connection is sufficient to progress but could be faster
• Red bars: Insufficient upload speed, which will increase capture time and can cause the capture to fail

Recommendation: A stable Wi-Fi network with at least 60 megabits per second upload speed is recommended for capturing with PIC app.

Troubleshooting

When Progress Stalls Above 75%

If capture progresses above 75% or more with all positions green except just one or two staying red, check those specific PIC transfers. This scenario may indicate:

• Their number was not correctly chosen on the odontogram
• They are obstructed in most photos
• They had strong light reflections or shadows
• Blood or tissue residue on some of their dots that must be cleaned with saline solution

Excess Photos Error

If an excess photos error appears:

• You can tap Continue to add more photos to the current capture and see if the percentage keeps progressing
• If this error appears twice, it is generally recommended to tap Restart, as it indicates that the photo quality might be compromised and starting a new capture can actually be faster