Digital impression scanners have been one of the last decade’s most important advancements in dentistry.
With an oral scanning device, you don’t have to put your patients through the ordeal of taking impressions the traditional way. You also get better accuracy — which means better results for your patients.
But at the end of the day, how much your dental practice will benefit depends on which intraoral dental scanner you use.
No two devices on the market today are made equally. They vary in ease of use, accuracy, and imaging capabilities. So how can you ensure you choose the best intraoral dental scanner for your practice?
To help you choose a scanner that will make an impact on your processes, patients, and profits, we’ve put together this helpful guide comparing the best intraoral scanners in 2023.
How Do Intraoral Dental Scanners Work?
Intraoral scanners create a 3D digital impression of a patient’s mouth. They’re handheld devices that work with software to capture, store, and send detailed, precise digital impressions.
Digital 3D scanners are quickly replacing traditional impressions because they offer so many benefits to both patients and dentists.
Instead of asking your patient to bite down on a tray of putty to generate a dental impression, the scanner does all the work for you. It also creates a more accurate impression than a putty mold ever could.
Even better, dental scanners are comfortable for patients. You simply move the device in the patient’s mouth to create a scan. Then, you can send the impression to your dental laboratory as a digital file in seconds.
Your practice will save time and money on things like material and labor. You also can digitally store the files, verify the accuracy of the scan before sending it to the lab, and offer your patients more accurate restorations.
What to Consider When Choosing an Intraoral Scanner
Digital impressions aren’t new. The first devices were introduced to the world of dentistry in the late 1980s.
However, the technology didn’t evolve significantly until the first iTero digital impression systems were released in 2006. Two years later, iTero scanners became the first devices capable of full-arch intraoral scanning, which is when digital impressions finally started to take off.
The best intraoral dental scanners on the market today are designed to optimize the benefits of digital impressions. They offer the right combination of comfort, usability, and advanced software capabilities.
Here are some of the factors you should look for when comparing devices:
- Reasonable size: The leading scanners are small enough to fit in the mouth without triggering a patient’s gag reflex.
- Seamless corrections: Ideally, you’ll be able to zoom in and correct an imperfect region without having to take a new impression.
- Real-time 3D imaging: The best imaging devices will let you view the 3D image right away, enabling you to discuss the scan with patients, other doctors, and the lab.
- High accuracy: You should be able to capture small details in the teeth and soft tissue.
- Quality software: The software is just as critical as the hardware — it should offer lightning-fast capture speed and cloud storage.
- Quality customer service and training: Only one company is equipped to offer the personal service needed to keep your practice up to date and running smoothly.
Intraoral Scanner Comparison — The 4 Best Intraoral Scanners in 2023
There’s no question that intraoral dental scanners are a must-have for modern dental practices. But you want to invest in reliable and effective technologies when going digital. Otherwise, you could end up spending a lot of money without reaping the rewards of switching from traditional to digital impressions.
Here’s a look at some of the top intraoral dental scanners available today.
iTero Element Intraoral Scanner
iTero has long been considered the gold standard for 3D digital dental imaging and is widely used in dental and orthodontic practices across the country. There are good reasons for its laudable reputation.
Check out some of the benefits of the iTero Scanner:
- Fast and reliable software with cloud storage
- Has been the best intraoral dental scanner for Invisalign for years
- Near-infrared imaging (NIRI) technology for superior caries detection
- iTero TimeLapse shows changes to teeth and gums
- Captures 6000 frames per second
- Only company with personal training capabilities. You will be assigned a person to come in your office and help you with your training and support. When your training is done they are still available when you need them, not a one-and-done deal.
If you're interested in learning more about how your practice can receive a free iTero digital scanner, check out PRO-Craft's digital scanner program here.
3Shape TRIOS 5
This 3D dental scanner features a small wand for easy scanning and uses confocal laser scanning — which is the same imaging technology as iTero. This device is right behind the reigning champ with its excellent software suite, but it has a slower image capture speed.
With 3Shape TRIOS, you get:
- Studio apps that let patients visualize results
- Patient Monitoring to compare a patient’s oral health over time
- Wireless option
Medit i700 Dental Scanner
Medit is a Korea-based dental technology company founded in 2000. The Medit intraoral scanner is lightweight and offers a respectable imaging speed — you can take a full-arch scan in under 90 seconds. The software interface and scanner, however, aren’t as easy to use as iTero, making it more challenging to generate a high-quality scan.
Medit comes with:
- Smart-scan filters that eliminate unwanted details
- Wireless capabilities
- No software subscription fees
- Captures up to 70 frames per second
Virtuo Vivo from Straumann
If you’re looking for a small dental scanner, the device made by the Swiss medical group Straumann is worth considering. Like the iTero, you get color imaging and in-depth scanning for tooth and soft tissue. It doesn’t, however, come with robust software or the ability to detect dental caries.
The Virtuo Vivo features:
- Four miniature cameras for comprehensive scanning
- Ability to take images of hard-to-reach areas
- Laptop plug-in option
When you do an intraoral scanner comparison, iTero stands out as the best option for most practices. It offers excellent lab compatibility, high-definition color, NIRI, and 3D imaging, and stands heads and shoulders above other options when it comes to ease of use. Most of all you get personal training and support that has no equal.
Plus, with faster scan processing and a quicker start-up time, it’s an excellent option for increasing patient volume.
Get the Best Intraoral Scanner 2023 and Unlock Your Practice’s Potential
We want you to be able to create life-changing experiences for your patients, and having the best dental 3D scanning device is definitely a part of that equation.
To help you along your digital journey, we’ve created an iTero scanner program that will get you a 3D scanner in your office in two days. Request your iTero intraoral scanner today and try it out yourself.
