Intraoral Scanners: Key considerations

With so many intraoral scanners on the market, dental practices should undertake a thorough dental scanner comparison before investing in digital dentistry.

So you’re well aware that digital dentistry offers a range of benefits for dental practices – from increased patient comfort to better workflow efficiency. You also know that intraoral scanners are the backbone of digital dentistry. They’re the device that enables you to switch from messy physical impressions to fast, efficient and accurate digital scans. 

But is it the right time to make the move to an intraoral scanner for your practice? That depends. Intraoral scanners require a sizeable up-front investment – and some charge ongoing monthly and annual fees. And, like all electronic devices, digital scanners are not created equal. 

It’s a matter of looking carefully before you leap. So we’re going to run through some of the key considerations you should keep in mind to conduct a thorough dental intraoral scanner comparison. Then we evaluate five of the most common scanners on the market across five critical categories: accuracy, interface, compatibility, efficiency, and cost.

Intraoral Scanners: Key considerations 

What intraoral scanner advantages can help improve dental practices? 

There are several intraoral scanner advantages that can help improve your dental practice, but the major benefits of transitioning to digital scanners surround improving the patient experience and boosting the workflow efficiency of the practice. 

For patients, intraoral scanners eliminate the use of uncomfortable impression materials, enhance the accuracy of scans which leads to better treatment outcomes, and help patients to visualise treatment options and progress with 3D digital models. 

For practices, intraoral scanners typically integrate with dental lab software to streamline workflows, improve communication and collaboration between the practice and the lab, drastically reduce time-consuming remakes, and enable fast turnaround times on the design and manufacture of a wide range of dental restoration prosthetics. 

What potential disadvantages of intraoral scanners should dentists be aware of? 

There are a few potential disadvantages of intraoral scanners that dentists should consider when choosing the best intraoral scanner for your practice. Digital scanners often require a significant up-front investment for dental practices, so small practices should ensure they have a large enough patient base to get sufficient return on investment. 

While most intraoral scanner systems are designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, there is an initial learning curve that practices should account for. And like most other electronic devices, intraoral scanners need a reliable internet connection for smooth, uninterrupted use.  

What factors should be considered when selecting an intraoral scanner for a dental practice? 

With so many options on the market, practices should undertake a thorough dental scanner comparison to find the best intraoral scanner for your specific needs. Accuracy and precision are crucial, so look for scanners with proven track records of delivering accurate results.

Faster scanners can streamline the impression-taking process, so assess the scanning speed of the device in order to achieve the best possible efficiency gains. 

Also consider the compatibility of the scanner with other systems and software used in the practice. Ensure that the scanner integrates seamlessly with computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems, dental laboratory software, or practice management software for efficient workflows and data sharing.

How user-friendly are intraoral scanners, and do they require extensive training? 

While intraoral scanners have generally evolved over time to become more user-friendly, they are not all created equal. Features such as real-time visual feedback, guided scanning workflows, and automated functions all help to simplify the scanning process and help users navigate through the scanning steps.

However, even the most user-friendly scanners still require some level of training and practice to achieve proficiency. Some manufacturers or authorised distributors provide in-person training, or online resources such as user guides, videos and webinars to help your team get up to speed. 

How well do intraoral scanners integrate with other digital dentistry tools and equipment that we may already have? 

Intraoral scanners are typically designed to integrate with other digital dentistry tools and equipment to enable seamless communication and workflow integration. However, the level of integration can vary depending on the specific scanner model and the compatibility of the software and systems involved.

Again, conducting a comparison of intraoral scanners is important for determining their level of compatibility. Look for scanners that directly import scans into CAD/CAM software so your dental lab can seamlessly and efficiently design and manufacture restorations. 

Depending on the model you choose, intraoral scanners are also capable of integrating with practice management software, CBCT systems, orthodontic treatment planning software, and imaging software.