Moving across from silicone impressions to an intraoral scanner is an exciting leap and comes with plenty of benefits including faster workflows and increased patient comfort.
It is a significant investment and it is worth putting some time into choosing the correct scanner for your. We have put together an introduction to the topic to help you navigate all the different options.
Intended use
There is no one size fits all answer. There are a large range of intraoral scanners that serve a spectrum of dental needs. At one end are machines which offer straightforward scanning ability right through to advanced options which have their own integrated CAD software and CAM unit for production of prosthetics.
It is therefore crucial that before choosing a scanner you understand what functionality the practice needs. Broadly scanners will fall into one of these categories with prices increasing with functionality.
For Clear Aligner work, you only need scanning functionality.
Cost
In addition to the upfront cost, with certain scanners there are ongoing costs for software subscriptions, updates, file storage and maintenance. It's also worth considering the cost and feasibility of repairs based on your location.
While there are a lot of differences between scanners, there are some core similarities:
When comparing different intraoral scanners, most practical differences are covered by these 8 factors.
A useful comparison of these features for the leading options available on the market is shown below
All scanners have open systems which allow you to share your 3D scans with 32Co, so we work with scans from a range of different machines on a daily basis. Our dentists have experience with a range of scanners and here is what some of them have to say:
Dr Cheah
'Primescan is my favourite, its the fastest by far and I much prefer it to the Itero and TRIOS'
Dr Lee
'Medit is the best all rounder in terms of price and the fact it is open source, I find it very easy to use'
We are not affiliated with any specific model or brand and ultimately the best scanner for you will depend on your budget and what functionality you need from it.
The institute of digital dentistry have compiled an in-depth and impartial guide that compares the best intraoral scanners currently available. With a deep dive into each scanner and useful summary tables comparing features and cost it's a great place to start research. You can access the report below.
To book a demo or to learn more about 32Co, please email the team
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