Dolphin Imaging is orthodontic imaging and cephalometric software from Dolphin Imaging and Management Solutions, a Patterson Dental company. Orthodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons and pediatric dentists use it to capture and organise patient photos and X-rays, trace cephalometric radiographs, simulate treatment results and present cases. Most people searching for a “Dolphin Imaging download” are either new practices comparing ortho software or referral doctors who need to open a Dolphin patient record.
Dolphin Imaging is commercial software sold with training and support. There is no free full version. Dolphin does, however, offer a free, freely distributable Dolphin Imaging Viewer for opening patient archives exported by Dolphin customers. This page explains both.
Dolphin Imaging at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Latest version | Dolphin Imaging 13.0 (What’s New guide dated November 2024) |
| Licence | Shareware (conditionally free): commercial software with a free demonstration from a Dolphin representative; the stand-alone Dolphin Imaging Viewer is free |
| Platforms | Windows 11 (64-bit) workstations; Windows Server 2016/2022 for multi-user offices; Intel Macs only through Boot Camp, Parallels or VMware Fusion |
| Developer | Dolphin Imaging and Management Solutions (Patterson Dental), Chatsworth, California, USA |
| Official website | dolphinimaging.com |
| Best for | Orthodontic and surgical practices that need image records, ceph tracing, superimpositions and 3D CBCT analysis in one database |
What it does
- Captures patient photos in sequence and places them automatically into standard layouts, such as a composite of extraoral, intraoral and occlusal views. You can crop, rotate, enhance and align them on one screen.
- Imports X-rays and other images from files, flatbed scanners, TWAIN sources and digital X-ray systems.
- Traces lateral cephalograms for orthodontic and surgical analysis and creates progress superimpositions. Version 13 adds Bolton cephalometric templates and improves the custom analysis editor.
- Offers optional orthodontic, dental and surgical treatment preview, movie morphing and slide presentations for case presentation.
- Dolphin 3D (an add-on) opens CBCT, MRI, medical CT and 3D facial camera data. It provides airway analysis, multiplanar views, volume superimposition, nerve marking, TMJ views, Hounsfield unit measurement and generated ceph and panoramic images.
- Dolphin 3D also includes 3D implant planning and digital study models that open STL and OBJ files, with integration with CEREC Ortho software.
- Stores everything in a Microsoft SQL Server database that is shared with other Dolphin products, such as Dolphin Management.
- Version 13 introduces a 3D Smile Editor, a recycle bin for images, patient notes and image sub-folders.
How dental teams use it
Take a full set of initial records
- Create the patient and choose a photo layout template.
- Take the photos in sequence. Dolphin sorts them into the layout automatically.
- Import the lateral ceph and panoramic X-rays from your X-ray system or from files.
- Crop and align the photos later with the Crop-later option if the chair is busy.
Trace a ceph and track progress
- Open the lateral ceph in Ceph Tracing and digitise the landmarks.
- Choose the analyses you need and print or save the measurement tables.
- At progress or final records, trace the new ceph and superimpose it on the initial tracing to show the changes.
Send a record to a referring doctor
- Archive the patient record in Dolphin. This creates a .DAZ / .ZIP file pair.
- Send the file pair to the referral doctor.
- The referral doctor opens it in the free Dolphin Imaging Viewer and sees the images, tracings, measurement tables, 3D data and movies. No Dolphin licence and no SQL Server are needed.
Install and first run
- Getting Dolphin: request a demonstration and a quote from Dolphin or Patterson. Installation normally comes with training by a Dolphin-certified trainer. Dolphin also offers a money-back performance guarantee for practices that complete training and use the software as required.
- Workstation: Windows 11 64-bit (Professional, Enterprise or Ultimate editions). The minimum is a 4-core Intel i3 or equivalent. Dolphin strongly recommends SSD drives.
- Server: standalone systems or offices with five concurrent users or fewer can use Windows 11 with SQL Server Express, which ships with the installer. Larger offices need Windows Server and full SQL Server, and Server Essentials is not supported.
- Mac: Dolphin runs on Intel Macs only in a Windows environment through Boot Camp, Parallels or VMware Fusion. Macs with Apple M-series chips have not been validated.
- Backups and antivirus: you are responsible for backing up the database and image folders. Add antivirus exceptions for the Dolphin folders to avoid slowdowns.
- Dolphin Cloud: practices that prefer hosted software can ask about Dolphin Cloud, which has its own requirements.
Limitations
- It is not free, and there is no free trial download of the full program. Access starts with a demo from a sales representative.
- It is Windows software. Mac use needs Windows on an Intel Mac, and Apple Silicon Macs are not validated.
- Dolphin 3D, treatment simulation and some other features are separate or optional modules.
- The free viewer only opens Dolphin archive files (.DAZ / .ZIP). It does not keep a patient list and cannot create new records.
- Dolphin states that diagnostic and treatment planning results depend on interpretation by trained, licensed practitioners.
Dolphin Imaging vs alternatives
| Tool | Best for | Licence |
|---|---|---|
| Dolphin Imaging | Image records, ceph tracing and 3D CBCT analysis in one practice database | Shareware (commercial, demo) |
| NemoStudio | Ceph, 3D ortho models, orthognathic and implant planning in one suite with a web version | Shareware (commercial, demo) |
| 3Shape Ortho Analyzer | Orthodontic model analysis (Bolton, space, occlusion) in the 3Shape Ortho System | Shareware |
| Maestro 3D Ortho Studio | 3D model setups and aligner models | Shareware |
Dolphin’s strength is photo and X-ray record keeping plus ceph tracing. For aligner design from STL scans, most practices add a dedicated tool such as ArchForm.
FAQ
Is there a Dolphin Imaging free download?
Not for the full program. The free download from Dolphin is the Dolphin Imaging Viewer, which opens patient archives exported by Dolphin users. Dolphin Imaging itself is licensed through Dolphin or Patterson after a demo.
What is the Dolphin Imaging Viewer?
It is a free, stand-alone program for referral doctors who do not own Dolphin. It opens a .DAZ / .ZIP patient archive and shows the images, tracings, measurements, 3D data and movies. A 32-bit version exists for old computers.
Is Dolphin Imaging available for Mac?
Only in a Windows environment on an Intel Mac, using Boot Camp, Parallels or VMware Fusion. Apple M-series Macs have not been validated.
What are the Dolphin Imaging software requirements?
A Windows 11 64-bit workstation with at least a 4-core Intel i3 or equivalent and an SSD is recommended. Multi-user offices need Windows Server and SQL Server. The full requirements are in Dolphin’s System Requirements document.
What is Dolphin ceph tracing?
Ceph Tracing is the Dolphin Imaging module for digitising lateral cephalograms, running analyses and superimposing progress tracings. It can also use cephs generated from CBCT data with Dolphin 3D.
Is Dolphin Imaging FDA-cleared?
Dolphin states that Dolphin Imaging software is an FDA-cleared Class II medical device.
What is the latest version of Dolphin Imaging?
Dolphin Imaging 13.0. Its What’s New guide lists the 3D Smile Editor, Bolton templates, patient notes and security improvements.
Last checked against official sources: 28 September 2026 (developer website: dolphinimaging.com). Versions and licence terms change — confirm on the developer's site before deploying in a clinic.
