In the past month, I wanted to upscale my clinic’s dental tools to enhance my patients’ satisfaction. A better tool facilitates smoother visits, faster treatments, and happier smiles. The crowns and bridges need precise impressions and scanning. Minor errors in scanning lead to ill-fitting restorations.
So, the selection of the right dental scanner brands matters a lot. In the dental industry, there are different brands that claim to provide a cost-effective dental solution. However, some 3D dental scanner brands are not compatible with the existing clinic’s software.
In this article, I provide a complete list of the top four dental scanner brands, their features, and how fast they scan. After reading, you will have a clear idea of which brand is best for you.
Why Does Brand Matter in Dental Scanning?
As a dentist, you know that one quality tool can impact your entire dental workflow. A high-end dental scanner brand comes with features that save time and energy for both patients and dentists. So, the selection of the affordable dental scanner brands can shape your entire dental career.
Here’s why the brand truly matters.
1. Reliable Support and Training
Many dentists assume that every brand provides a scanner with solid support. Some local suppliers provide in-clinic training and quick technical support within 24 hours. Others leave users with PDFs and outdated videos that don’t understand clinical workflows. So, it’s important to choose a well-known brand that provides great customer support.
2. Scan Accuracy
Most scanner suppliers say their scans are “high accuracy.” But in real practice, that’s not always true. Their scanners need lots of rescans or give images that aren’t clear enough for lab work. If a scan misses even a small detail, the crown or bridge might not fit right. So, the branded scanner is free from all these issues that cause delay or redo cases.
3. Software Updates
The local dental scanner supplier doesn’t provide a software update facility. Their equipment is not integrated with the advanced features or functionality. On the other hand, the brand provides regular software updates. Their scanners also update the latest software, which improves their performance and capabilities.
After you know the worth of the best intraoral scanner brands for dentists, let’s explore some well-known brands that provide quality scanners.
Top 4 Dental Scanner Brands You Should Know
For dental lab technicians, it’s essential to understand the strengths and features of leading brands in the market. Each brand provides unique advantages suited to different clinical needs. Here are the top four 3D dental scanner brands to consider:
– Aidite
Aidite is a well-reputed company known for its cost-effective dental solutions. Their products are designed to meet the needs of dental professionals. Aidite’s focus is on innovation and user-friendly design. Their tools and equipment are easy to use and enhance clinical workflows.
Their elegant 3 scanner is compact and lightweight. It is suitable for efficient and accurate digital impressions. It provides a user-friendly interface and integrates easily with various CAD/CAM systems. Here are the features of this scanner:
Specifications:
● Scan Depth: This scanner captures detailed images from -2 mm to 20 mm. It has versatile scanning capabilities without any errors.
● Weight: This scanner has a weight of approximately 240g. It is portable and can easily move from one place to another in the dental laboratory.
● Data Output: The Aidite scanner supports STL, OBJ, and PLY formats. It is easily set up and integrates with various CAD software.
– 3Shape
3Shape is well-known for its advanced digital dentistry solutions. They focus on providing scanners that easily connect with various dental workflows. Their products are designed to enhance the accuracy of dental procedures. The brand has a commitment to quality and technological advancement. 3Shape’s scanners are designed to improve the dental experience for both professionals and patients.
– iTero (Align Technology)
iTero is recognized for its focus on restorative dentistry. The brand’s commitment to innovation improves patient satisfaction. Their scanners are designed to enhance treatment planning and patient outcomes. The scanner also has advanced imaging capabilities. It enables the dentist to easily scan the patient’s mouth. User-friendly interfaces ensure that dental professionals easily use this tool and enhance restoration outcomes.
– Dentsply Sirona
Dentsply Sirona is a global leader in dental equipment and technology. Their products are designed to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of dental procedures. They provide dental scanners and tools that provide fast and accurate scanning. It provides a comprehensive system for the design, milling, and placement of restorations. You can improve your patient outcomes and enhance the dental experience.
After you know the specifications of the best dental scanner brands, let’s take a deep comparison of the features of these brands.
Comparison of Top Dental Scanner Brands
When selecting a dental scanner brand, it’s essential to consider various factors to ensure it aligns with your practice’s needs. Here’s a comparison of the scanner features of these four dental scanner brands.
– Price vs. Performance
Some dental scanner brands provide high-end features like 3Shape. Their scanners come with high price tags. These scanners often require significant investment in both equipment and maintenance. It further impacts the cost.
Aidite, on the other hand, provides scanners that balance affordability and performance. It ensures dental professionals can invest in quality technology without breaking the bank.
– Proprietary vs. Open Systems
Most of the dental scanner brands, like Dentsply Sirona, use a system that has some compatibility limitations. Such limitations can lead to increased costs and reduced flexibility.
However, Aidite’s scanners support open file formats like STL, OBJ, and PLY. It enables easy integration with various CAD/CAM systems. Such compatibility ensures that dental professionals can choose the best software tools for their needs.
– Software Compatibility & Cloud Storage
Many dental scanner brands, like iTero, provide advanced scanners. However, their scanner lacks robust cloud storage solutions. This can hinder data sharing between clinics and laboratories. On the other hand, Aidite scanners integrate with cloud platforms. It enables you to easily share data between clinics and laboratories. Additionally, their scanners’ compatibility with various software.
– Customer Support, Training, and Warranty
The 3Shape, iTero, and Dentsply Sirona provide great customer support. Their team consists of professionals who fix any troubleshooting issues.
Aidite provides robust after-sales support. Their customer support includes 24/7 customer service, detailed training resources, and a reliable warranty. This commitment ensures that dental professionals can fully use their scanners.
Which Brand is Best to Buy a Dental Scanner?
The selection of the best dental scanner brands depends on multiple factors and the clinic’s requirements. Every clinic is different. Some clinics need the fastest scans, while others want the best image quality. Your budget, the size of your team, and your experience also influence the selection of a scanner.
However, if you prefer to buy a cost-effective solution, then Aidite is a great choice. Their scanners are easy to use, accurate, and work with most CAD/CAM systems. Aidite gives great value without cutting corners on quality.
FAQs
What is the best scanner for soft tissue?
An MRI is the best scanner for soft tissue. It shows soft parts like muscles and organs very clearly. Doctors use it to find problems inside the body. It doesn’t use harmful rays, so it’s safe.
What are the disadvantages of iTero scanners?
iTero scanners are good but costly due to the brand reputation. They cost more than other scanners. The files work best with Invisalign, so it’s not fully open. It can be slow with big scans. The scanner is also a bit heavy to hold.
Which scan is most accurate?
The most accurate scan for soft tissue is an MRI. It shows clear pictures of muscles, organs, and other soft parts. It does not use harmful rays, so it’s safe. Doctors trust MRI for finding small problems inside the body.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, the above four dental scanner brands provide enough margin to choose the best for your clinic. Which one is best for you? It’s dependent on your personal decision and the clinics’ requirements. It’s important for you to choose a brand that is cost-effective and offers great customer support.
An accurate and precise scanner shows clear pictures of teeth and gums. This helps you make crowns and bridges that fit well. The right scanners also make patients feel more comfortable. So, choose wisely!