Creating a buyer’s guide is an exercise in futility; product specs change frequently. But our goal is to at least identify some of the biggest players in the space and present the information that is relevant. No buyer’s guide is meant to make your choice crystal clear. I firmly believe the best way to select a technology, especially one that will replace a common procedure such as impression taking, is to go to a trade show and try them out yourself. Scan some typodonts, play around with the software, and talk to the vendors face-to-face. You may even get a better price than what’s listed here.
So, I hope this guide to intraoral scanners will be just that—a guide (table 1). Your practice and your specific clinical needs are more important than price and product specs.
Table 1: Comparison of intraoral scanner specs
Cost of model
Annual cost
(including subscription fees,etc.)
Clear aligner compatibility
Export file formats
Additional features of note
3MTrue Definition Scanner (3M Oral Care)
$16,995
Consult with a 3M representative
•Invisalign (with advanced data plan)
•Open STL files for participating companies (with advanced data plan)
STL
Powder scans only
Aadva IOS (GC America)
$16,000
$1,000 per year with first year free
Open STL files for participating companies
STL, PLY
•Compact, small handpiece sensor
•Cart format (for easy office-to-office transfer)
•Large precision GUI (graphic user interface) screen
•USB backup, transfer, and storage capabilities
Cost of model
Annual cost
(including subscription fees,etc.)
Clear aligner compatibility
Export file formats
Additional features of note
CS 3600 (Carestream Dental)
Consult with a Carestream representative
Consult with a Carestream representative
•3M Clarity
•ClearCorrect
•Eon
•eXceed
•SureSmile
STL, PLY
•Multiple bite capture option
•Hybrid scan (merges in vivo scans with impression scans)
iTero Element 2 (Align Technology)
$32,000
Varies
•ClearCorrect
•Invisalign
STL
•Complete orthodontic and restorative workflows
•Invisalign outcome simulator
•TimeLapse technology
•Viewer tool
•3-D Invisalign progress assessment
•Occlusogram
Medit i500 (Medit)
Consult with a Medit representative
Consult with a Medit representative
Consult with a Medit representative
STL, PLY, OBJ
Consult with a Medit representative
Planmeca Emerald (E4D Technologies)
$26,429
None
•3M
•Accusmile (Forestadent)
•ClearCorrect
•Elemetrix (SureSmile)
•eXceed
•EZ-Align (DynaFlex)
•Insignia (Ormco)
•Orchestrate 3D
•Orthocaps
•Panthera Dental
•SLX Clear Aligner (Henry Schein Orthodontics)
STL, PLY
•Ultralightweight (9.1 ounces)
•Full-arch image capture (<45 seconds)
•Dual-button hands-free operation
•Autoclavable scanner tips
•Antifogging, heated scanning tips
•SlimLine scanning tip for pediatric/smaller patients
•USB 3.0 portable plug-and-play connectivity
•Five-year total-care warranty
Trios 4 (3Shape)
Consult with a 3Shape representative
Consult with a 3Shape representative
3Shape Clear Aligner Studio (for in-house fabrication)
STL
Caries diagnosis via transillumination tip
