Intraoral Scanners – The most affordable Digital Intraoral Impression Scanner

Intraoral Scanners - Bringing Dentistry to The Digital Era

Most dental practices in the US continue to use elastomeric impressions made of the jaw in order to place their orders with labs for proshetics, prostodontics and tooth aligners.However, in the last 6 to 8 years, a powerful new technology has emerged through intraoral scanning. that completely eliminates the need for elastomeric impressions. It produces a digital file that can be easily sent to a lab immediately and at no cost.

Still using elastomeric impressions?

Patient's Benefits

More comfortable experience.
Faster scanning process
No gagging sensation
No unpleasant after taste of elastomeric materials
Greater sanitization, safety
No need to repeat impressions.
Ability to observe teeth images in real time
Increased understanding of their dental conditions
Quicker turnaround on dental orthodontics

Intraoral Scanning - What Is It?

Optical scanners are devices used to capture direct optic impressions
Lower and upper jaw scan produces accurate tooth anatomy
Digital format permit easy post-scan adjustments
Saves to digital file at the doctor's office.

Prosthodontic procedures
Implantology procedures
Orthodontic procedures
Cosmetic procedures

Doctor's Benefits

Reduced time cost to capture impression
Chair time cut to about 1/3 of conventional methodologies
Reduced turnaround time
Reduced material costs for elastomeric supplies
Reduced delivery costs to / from lab
Reduced errors
Higher quality impressions
Advantages of digital storage for patient histories
Improved fits of crowns and orthodontic
Improved customer convenience
Can generate new customer services

Why Buy A Scanner?

Cost Comparison: Digital Dental vs Conventional Elastomeric Impressions Can you save money deploying an intraoral scanner? We think so. Check out our detailed breakdown. Crunch the numbers. Did we get something wrong? Let us know. Find it useful? Discuss with your colleagues. Use the Customize and Provide Feedback buttons below.
Cost per impression side by side	Conventional Impression Using elastomeric impression, using a mold to cast a 3 dimensional model of the jaw	Digital Impression Using a digital scanner to create a digital file that can be manipulated by CAD software	Difference Savings (or extra cost) from digital impressions. (Conventional - Digitsl)
Fractional labor cost Breaks down labor costs by chair time.	$14.43 Based on hourly wage and 30 minutes time(see breakdown below)	$6.83 Based on hourly wage and 6 minutes time (see breakdown below)	$7.60 Wage savings per impression
Material costs These are all costs of supplies involved in elastomeric impressions, broken down to a per impression basis. These include such things as dispensers, mixing tips, tray and tray selection,light body, heavy body and adhesives.	$20.00 Cost per impression of materials used for elastomeric impression (see breakdown below)	$0.00 Digital files incur no material costs (see breakdown below)	$20.00 Cost savings per impression
Shipping and handling costs These are average cost of getting impression to and from lab.	$3.94 Elastomeric impression average round trip shipping costs. (see breakdown below)	$0.00 No shipping or hnadling costs for send impressions. Return shipping costs are calculated elsewhere in lab fees. (see breakdown below)	$3.94 Savings on shipping per impression
Scanner costs Any hardware scanner costs associated with this technology, on a per-impression basis	$0.00 Assumption here is no cost as dentist does not need to purchase a scanner. (see breakdown below)	$13.17 Amortized cost of scanner over 5 years based on 39 average impressions per day (see breakdown below)	($13.17) Extra capital cost of purchasing scanner
Total costs per impression Totality of costs broken down by impression.	$38.37 Sum of all costs per impression using elastomeric process (see breakdown below)	$19.99 Sum of all costs per impression using digital process (see breakdown below)	$18.37 Savings per impression $38.37 - $19.99
Monthly costs Total by month	$1496.24 $38.37 per impression x 39 impressions per month	$779.78 Monthly sum of digital costs	$716.46 Monthly savings using digital scanner
Additional monthly savings Savings incurred due to possible discounts by lab on a monthly basis.	$0.00 Monthly sum of conventional costs	$468.00 Possible monthly savings on lab costs (see breakdown below)	$468.00 Monthly savings on lab costs of digital process (see breakdown below)
Total monthly costs All costs incurred from technology in accruing impressions totalled by month.	$1496.24 Monthly sum of conventional costs	$311.78 Monthly costs are reduced by assumed lab savings discount of 10% x 39 impressions x $120/impression	$1184.46 Total Monthly Savings After Reduced Lab Fees : $1496.24 - $311.78
Annual costs Total by year	$17,954.82 $38.37 per impression x 39 impressions /day x 30 days x x 12 months	$9,357.30 Annual sum of digital costs	$8,597.52 Savings per year exclusinve of possible lab discounts
Additional annual savings Savings incurred due to possible discounts by lab on an annual basis.	$0.00 No discount obtained from labs	($5616.00) Monthly savings from lab x 12 . Assumes a 10% lab discount over elastomeric submissions	$5616.00 Potential annual lab savings based on 10% discount
Total annual costs All costs incurred from technology in accruing impressions totalled by year.	$17,954.82 Annual sum of conventional costs	$3,741.30 Annual sum of digital costs reduced by assumed discount of 10% on lab costs	$14,213.52 Difference of $17,954.82 - $3,741.30 = possible annual savings factoring in lab discounts
Cost Breakdown and Additional Customization
Average Dental Practice Statistics Used in Calculation
Number of impressions per month The dentists we have polled revealed average usage of 39 crowns per month. You may want to user our customization button below to modify this to your practice realities for an accurate estimate.			39 The dentists we have polled revealed average usage of 39 crowns per month. You may want to user our customization button below to modify this to your practice realities for an accurate estimate.
Average hourly salary of dental assistant Hourly cost of assistant staff performing scanning or making impressions. Default value is $48000, broken down into an hourly wage.			$28.85Hourly cost of assistant staff performing scanning or making impressions. Default value is $48000, broken down into an hourly wage.
Average hourly salary of other staff Hourly cost of administrative staff handling clerical duties. Based on average wage of $32000 / year.			$15.38 Hourly cost of administrative staff handling clerical duties. Based on average wage of $32000 / year.
Conventional Costs Using Impressions
Chair time in minutes? Traditional elastomeric impressions take most dental practices about 30 minutes of chair time.			30 Traditional elastomeric impressions take most dental practices about 30 minutes of chair time.
Shipping costs per impression We've used commercial rates on priority mail parcel service at $7.95 , and assumed 2 impressions per package. Enter your rate here. Remember to divide by the number of impressions in each box. Also add in any return shipping fees charged by lab on a per impression basis			$1.99We've used commercial rates on priority mail parcel service at $7.95 , and assumed 2 impressions per package. Enter your rate here. Remember to divide by the number of impressions in each box. Also add in any return shipping fees charged by lab on a per impression basis
Average material costs per impression Material costs per elastomeric impression. These include dispensers, mixing tips, tray and tray selection, light body, heavy body and adhesives. These are totalled, then divided by number of impressions done per month, to get cost per impression. Our default value is $780 /mo based on 39 crowns, or $20 an impression.			$20.00Material costs per elastomeric impression. These include dispensers, mixing tips, tray and tray selection, light body, heavy body and adhesives. These are totalled, then divided by number of impressions done per month, to get cost per impression. Our default value is $780 /mo based on 39 crowns, or $20 an impression.
Average elastomeric impression office handling costs Besides chair time costs, elastomeric impressions must be prepared, labeled, shipped and received. We used a $15.38 /hour wage for non-professional staff with a 20 minute total time for administrative tasks involved in elastomeric impressions process.			$3.94
Intraoral Scanning Costs
Chair time in minutes? Most practitioners using a modern scanner will complete the scanning within 2-3 minutes, plus an additional 2-3 minutes for patient prep time.			6Most practitioners using a modern scanner will complete the scanning within 2-3 minutes, plus an additional 2-3 minutes for patient prep time.
Expected monthly scanner costs We used $28,800 amortized over 5 years at a 7 percent interest rate. This is the average price of the top scanners we recently reviewed.			$513.60We used $28,800 amortized over 5 years at a 7 percent interest rate. This is the average price of the top scanners we recently reviewed.
Average supply costs per impression Tip replacements, sterilization solutions, cheek retractors, etc. taken on a per impression basis.			$30.00
Possible Additional Savings
Average monthly lab bill Average dental lab bills range from $3500 to $5000. We used 39 impressions at $120/each.			$4680.00Average dental lab bills range from $3500 to $5000. We used 39 impressions at $120/each.
Lab bill discount for digital file transfers Many labs will give you a discount for using an electronic file, as it saves them a lot of time, and reduces errors. We've seen labs discounting this from 5% to 20%.			10%Many labs will give you a discount for using an electronic file, as it saves them a lot of time, and reduces errors. We've seen labs discounting this from 5% to 20%.
Savings per month Dollar value of any savings from possible lab discounts. $4680 x 10% used as defaults.			$468.00 Dollar value of any savings from possible lab discounts. $4680 x 10% used as defaults.
Savings per year Annual savings in dollar terms based on discount rate and number of impressions. 10% x 39 impressions x 12 months			$5616.00 Annual savings in dollar terms based on discount rate and number of impressions. 10% x 39 impressions x 12 months
Don't Like Assumptions ? Customize This Calculator To Fit Your Practice You can use this calculator to customize the cost benefit anlysis to your office specs. This will require a Google account. If you don't have one you can sign up for one for free.
See something missing? Find this useful? We'd love your feedback to make this tool better! If you're a dental technician, lab or scanner expert, we'd love to have your feedback. Only registered industry users may comment.

Top IntraOral Scanners of 2021

(Table is interactive. Click on rows to expand or contract.)

Brands	Denterprise Quick scan IOS	Sirona Cerec Omnicam	3 Shape Trios 4	Carestream CS3700	Align Itero	Medit I500

Overall Rating	4.6 ★	4.1 ★	3.9 ★	4.0 ★	3.2 ★	4.4 ★
Cost $ = Least expensive $$$$$ = most expensive . Best efforts were made to obtain the most accurate pricing. Prices based on MSRP and dealer submissions	$	$$$	$$$$$	$$$	$$$$	$$
Cost of UnitBest efforts were made to obtain the most accurate pricing. Hover over any pricing to see our source. If any prices seem inaccurate, we invite your comments.	$15,995 Source: Denterpriseintl website	$29,000 Source: pricing based on polling of 3 dentists who purchased in last year. If you find it inaccurate, please let us know.	$39,000 Source: pricing info average cost calculated by : Henry Schein	$32,000 see review for price at Institute of Digital Dentistry	$32,000 The Element 5D is advertised for $70,000 NZD for the cart option and $68,000 NZD for the scanner only option. This makes it one of the most expensive scanners on the market.	$22,0000 Inlucdes cost of supporting computer unit purchased sedapartely but required See Institute of Digital Dentistry
Data Plan Cost / Year First year free then $520 / mo	free The Denterprise team offers 12 hour support during US business hours. We found them prompt and competent.	$4,000	$2500 $2500 to $3500 dealer dependent "The scanner itself not only has an annual subscription (around £1000-£2500 depending on the scanner you buy) but so do the different design modules. The baseline design software of the TRIOS is purchased for close to £4000 and has an annual subscription of under £350.	free The Carestream Dental team also offers 24 hour phone support and we found them very pleasant to deal with.	$240Scanner itself has no monthly fee but the software does. The first 10GB of space on the cloud are free but you'll quickly need more: $20 Euro/mo for 1 TB or 40 Euro/mo for 5 TB	freeNone: The Planmeca system has no yearly fees or subscriptions tied to the scanner or software. It also comes with most modules with no added fees.
Tip Cost of Unit	$20	not applicableThe Omnicam does not provide autoclavable tips.	not updated	$50	$2.00As listed on Ebay%50 for box of 25	$50
Tip Cycles	30	n.a.	150The second feature of these smart tips is the automatic autoclave counter. The smart tip will track how many times it has been autoclaved and will alert you when it's time to change the head for optimum scanning. As you may know, all scanner heads have a set lifespan based on the number of sterilization cycles before the head starts to warp and needs to be replaced. For the TRIOS 4 it is stated that they will last for up to 150 cycles - that is a huge number compared to other scanners. The autoclave counter gives you an easy way of tracking this. These smart tips are also said to optimize performance and increase the battery life by 30%.	30	1 source: Itero :	20 20 uses with 45 minutes between usage source: Medit :
File Transfer Fee (Cork Fee)	free	n.a.	free	free	free	free
Total Costs Excluding Lab Costs	$551 / mo Based on 39 impressions per month,and purchase price amortized over 5 years	$2697 / month Based on 39 impressions per month,and purchase price amortized over 5 years	$9,110 / month Based on 39 impressions per month,and purchase price amortized over 5 years	$2,680/ month Based on 39 impressions per month,and purchase price amortized over 5 years	$2,880 / month Based on 39 impressions per month,and purchase price amortized over 5 years	$2,383 / month Based on 39 impressions per month,and purchase price amortized over 5 years
Total Cost of Operation Including Lab Impressions	$4.763 / mo Includes lab fees and savings. Based on 39 impressions per month,and purchase price amortized over 5 years	$6,909 / month Includes lab fees and savings which add $4212/month. Based on 39 impressions per month , amortized over 5 years. A higher monthly estimate of $9400.08 was calculated by Dental Economics	$13,322/ month Includes lab fees and savings. Based on 39 impressions per month , amortized over 5 years. Used TRIOS own tool found on their Trios website	$6,618 / month Includes lab fees and savings. Based on 39 impressions per month,and purchase price amortized over 5 years, See review and cost calculation at Institute of Dental Registry	$7,092 / month Includes lab fees and savings. Based on 39 impressions per month,and purchase price amortized over 5 years. See review and cost calculation at Institute of Dental Registry	$6,595 / month Includes lab fees and savings. Based on 39 impressions per month,and purchase price amortized over 5 years. See review and cost calculation at Institute of Dental Registry
Ease of Use	★★★★	★★★	★★★★	★★★★	★★★	★★★★
Scanner Type	3D Video	3D Video	3D Video	3D Video	3D Video	3D Video
Configuration	modular extra dock and cable	central hub with docking stations	modular extra dock and cable	modular extra dock and cable	modular extra dock and cable	modular extra dock and cable
Patient Live Screening	sold separately	yes	yes	sold separately	sold separately	sold separately
Defogging	external heating elements	internal heating fan	internal heating fan	internal heating fan	external heating elements	internal heating fan
Powder Free Scanning	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Tooth Surface Spray	no	no	no	no	no	no
Infection Control	autoclavable tips	disposable handpiece sleevescool sterilization only , so 20 minutes down time between patients.Sleeves avoid this, but greatly slow down scan time	autoclavable tips	autoclavable tips	autoclavable tips	autoclavable tips
Work Flow Downtime	wired wand connection = no downtime	intermittent delays to recharge battery	wired wand connection = no downtime	wired wand connection = no downtime	wired wand connection = no downtime	wired wand connection = no downtime
Accuracy	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★
Precision	< 19 um	< 5 um	< 5 um	< ?? um	< ?? um	< ?? um
Realistic, Natural Colors	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Screen Resolution	1280 x 720 px	to be determined	to be determined	to be determined	to be determined	to be determined
Scanning technology	Triangulation	Triangulation	Confocal laser technology	Triangulation	Triangulation	Triangulation
Model Optimization	Good morphology possible, but seldom required	Good morphology possible, but requires adjustments

Flow	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★
Full arch scan time	5 min	8-10 min	5 min	5 min	8-10 minNot by any means the fastest scanner on the market, but when compared to others, it is not the slowest either. Institute of Digital Dentistry	5 min

Dimensions	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★
Tip Size	18.5 x 15 mm	16.5 x 16.5 mm	23 x 20 mm	20 x 17 mm		19 x 15.2 mm
Tip Type	Mirror	Prism	Mirror	Mirror	Mirror	Mirror
Tip Design	removable	sealed	removable	removable	removable	removable
Weight	225 g	325 g	340 g	326 g	470 g	276 g
Hand Control	on / off button	none	none	on / off button	on / off button	on / off button

Service & Reputation	★★★	★★★	★★★	★★★★★	★★★	★★★
Reputation	Excellent In dental business since 1989	Excellent In dental business since 2000	Excellent In dental business since 2000	Excellent In dental business since 2007	Excellent In dental business since 1997	Excellent In dental business since 2000
Corporate Form	private	public	public	public	public	private
Warranty	1 year service and labor. 3 years of parts replacement with no annual fees	3 years free This is the only subscription for the CEREC system and ranges from $3500 to $4500 per year	5 years parts and labor	5 year parts and labor	1 year service and labor.	1 year service and labor.
Product Training	1 day in office. Growing library of online videos.	Dealer dependent but excellent online videos	Dealer dependent but excellent online videos	Dealer dependent. Good 24 hour phone support	1 day in office. Good online videos.	Unlimited free online training, but not on US time zones
Where To Buy	Denterprise	Henry Schein \| Patterson Dental	Henry Schein \| Patterson Dental	Benco \| Patterson Dental	Zimmer Biomet \| Core3 Dental	Straumann Group