How to Export DICOM Files from Sirona Orthophos CBCT Scanners

Understanding DICOM Export from Sirona Systems

Dentsply Sirona CBCT scanners — including the Orthophos S, Orthophos SL, and Axeos — are among the most widely installed units in dental practices worldwide. While Sirona's native software (Sidexis 4 or Sidexis XG) provides excellent integrated viewing, there are many reasons you might need to export DICOM files: sharing scans with a referring dentist, importing into third-party implant planning software, uploading to a cloud viewer for remote access, or archiving to external storage.

Exporting from Sidexis 4

Sidexis 4 is the current-generation imaging software from Dentsply Sirona. Here is how to export CBCT DICOM data:

• Step 1: Open Sidexis 4 and navigate to the patient whose CBCT scan you want to export.
• Step 2: In the patient's image timeline, locate the 3D/CBCT dataset and select it.
• Step 3: Click the "Export" button in the toolbar (or right-click and select "Export").
• Step 4: Choose "DICOM" as the export format. You'll see options for exporting the full volume or selected views.
• Step 5: Select the destination folder — this can be a local folder, USB drive, or network location.
• Step 6: Click "Export." The DICOM files will be saved as a series of .dcm files representing individual slices.

Exporting from Sidexis XG (Legacy)

If your practice still uses Sidexis XG (the previous generation), the export process is similar but the interface differs slightly. Open the patient record, select the 3D dataset, and use File → Export → DICOM. Note that Sidexis XG may export multiframe DICOM (all slices in one file) or single-frame (individual .dcm files per slice) depending on the version and settings.

DICOM Export Settings to Check

When exporting from Sirona software, pay attention to these settings:

• Patient anonymization: If sharing for consultation, you may want to anonymize patient data. Sidexis 4 offers an anonymization toggle during export.
• Resolution/Quality: Export at full resolution unless file size is a concern. Reduced resolution exports may lose diagnostic detail.
• Export scope: Export the complete 3D dataset, not just a single screenshot or panoramic reconstruction. Third-party viewers need the full DICOM series to reconstruct MPR views.

Common Issues and Solutions

• "Export greyed out": This usually means you haven't selected a 3D dataset, or the license doesn't include DICOM export. Contact Sirona support to verify your license includes export capabilities.
• Files won't open in other software: Ensure you exported the full 3D volume, not a 2D snapshot. Some third-party viewers require DICOM Part 10 compliant files — Sidexis 4 exports comply by default.
• Large file sizes: High-resolution CBCT volumes can be 200-500 MB. USB 3.0 drives or direct network transfer are recommended over email.

Upload to CBCTHub

Once you have the exported DICOM files, you can upload them directly to CBCTHub. Simply drag the folder containing the .dcm files into CBCTHub's upload area. The files are processed entirely in your browser using WebAssembly — they never leave your computer until you choose to save them. Once uploaded, you can share the scan via a secure link with any referring dentist or specialist.