From a Lab perspective, we can accept any file. Quality scans with accurate bites and pertinent additional information is always a must of course to get back quality work in a timely manner. You can find a previous article about effective Lab communication on our website.
Back to our expert.
We consulted one of our Dealer Reps Elise Poirier. She is the CAD/CAM Specialist from Henry Schein
and will help us break down the pros and cons of the 4
most common systems.
* We have not included iTero in our guide as they are proprietary to Invisalign. There are many other Aligner systems out there. But if this is the direction you are taking your practice, Align is your go-to for more information.
” My name is Elise Poirier and I am the BC CAD/CAM Specialist for Henry Schein. There are a lot of scanner options out there and you’ll find as you start to research them it’s easy to become overwhelmed and find yourself paralyzed in the decision making process as you sort through which scanner has which feature and which mythical unicorn scanner has ALLLL the features. Spoiler alert! It doesn’t exist.
Features, they are what many believe is the most important consideration – that and cost of course. The fact of the matter is all of the most popular scanners produce a quality image, some are just more accurate, easier to use or speak to a certain “niche”. The right scanner for you really depends on your expectation of what it can do for YOU specifically. Are you interested in purchasing a scanner to enhance patient communication, digitally treatment plan, market your practice, support other technology or simply digitize your impressions? We offer four popular scanners at Henry Schein. I’ll do my best to concisely sum them up.”
3 Shape Trios comes in many configurations – wired, wireless, all-in-one “Move” cart. There is also a couple of Basic options for smaller budgets and those that aren’t into all the bells and whistles this software giant prides themselves on continuously developing. With software development naturally there are yearly fees however these fees have now become technically optional if the user decides to opt out of their “Trios Care”. 
Trios offers some great patient communication tools – Smile Design, Treatment Simulator and Patient Monitoring to compare scans to show change.
The method of capture is picture-stitching and for the best ‘artificial intelligence’ you must follow the recommended scan strategy. As far as practice marketing there are some really unique ways to highlight what a practice offers in the way of comprehensive treatment that can be used for those that have the know how and interest in social media and interactive website design. It can assist with shade-taking, capture an overlaid photo, “lock” scan data in areas you don’t want to over-scan and utilizes an app store interface and communication portal with separate phone/tablet app for lab to clinic communication.
3 Shape is the most commonly used lab software so connectivity to the lab is seamless from Trios to 3 Shape Dental System.
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Planmeca Emerald S scanner is a great bang for your buck scanner. It is a portable scanner paired with laptop configuration but can also be integrated into the operatory computers for better ease of use if the specs meet the requirements. The tips are self-heating and sterilizable and there are two sizes – regular and the “slim line” tip for smaller mouths.
The wand grip can be customized with 4 colour “boots” to choose from and the cradle detaches to create a holder for the wand in the chair delivery. Planmeca offers “SOS” (support on site) and training both new user and remote by way of a dedicated clinical support team within SOS. My experience with their support is that it is both responsive and comprehensive.
Both the scanner and laptop are reasonably priced and include a 3 year bumper to bumper warranty followed by optional soft support and updates if needed.
There is a Smile Design and Implant Planning Wizard, Model Builder for 3D printing, Ortho Model analysis/compare scan tool and impression scanning mode. It is capable of assisting with shade selection, overlaying photos onto the scan and hands free navigation within the software. It produces all the most common file types (STL, PLY, 3 Shape and Exocad) that can be sent by Romexis Cloud software which has a Lab App that is free for your Lab.
Dentsply Sirona Primescan is an all in one cart configuration with back- up battery. It’s medical grade touchscreen, touch pad and large wide screen is medical grade and wipeable with Cavicide. There are no scan fees, optional extended warranty past the (2 years come standard) and three scanner sleeve options – stainless steel with sapphire glass, disposable or combined sterilizable with disposable window. It boasts the largest field of view and depth of field (20mm versus 14-17mm with most other scanners).
This contributes to a fast continuous video scan albeit a heavier wand to maneuver initially.
There are 3 independent studies have demonstrated that it is the most accurate scanner on the market currently.
As far as speed and tissue capture, Dentsply Sirona has put forth a scanner that excels at both their flagship “same day crown” workflow and now really has addressed the need for an easy to use, fast, accurate scan and send solution as well. As far as features there is a shade selection tool, ortho treatment simulator, ortho analysis and a really detailed prep analysis tool. It also takes a nice intraoral photo you can send for insurance pre-authorizations. All scans are stored, easily backed up, moved and converted to other file types such as STL. One lab inbox license is included with purchase and scans can now be sent directly to 3 Shape labs. Features to come include a new Smile Design and Compare scan feature.
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The Kavo Medit X700 is the Medit backed by and paired with the powerful DTX imaging platform for those who are wanting a more integrative platform to house all of their Kavo Imaging and intraoral scan data.
 The Medit includes features such as Model Builder/Editor, Smile Design, Ortho Treatment Simulator, Prep analysis, Impression Scanning, artificially intelligent scanbody matching and all features are housed within their App Store at no cost. The Cloud-Based Medit link portal is free for users as well as labs. The scanner itself pairs with a laptop, directly connecting via detachable USB-C cable. The tips are sterilizable, rotate 180 degrees and disinifected by UV-C technology during use. Scanning is a little slower in comparison to some of the options but there is a lot of capability and features packed into this option.
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If you have any further questions please feel free to contact Elise at
elise.poirier@henryschein.ca
Or of course your own Dealer Representative
Written by Roberta Bertram CDA
Reviewed by John Zahel RDT
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