The 3D printing abilities enabling users to customize items precisely is vital in fields like dental care. The need for the perfect fit, considering the vast differences in individuals, has spurred popularity for 3D scanners designed specifically for the dental industry. Generally, these scanners can be classified into two types – intraoral scanners for direct mouth scans and lab scanners for scanning mouth impressions. Although both hold their advantages, 3D printing typically employs lab 3D scanners. We present an alphabetical top list of lab 3D scanners used in the dental industry, intended to guide users in understanding available products.
AnySCAN VINYL HR Dental Scanner From Reitel
REITEL, a German company, introduces AnySCAN VINYL HR, a lab-centric dental 3D scanner. Using a fully automated Z-axis, users can save scanning time, which can be done in color or grayscale. Its touch-friendly screen and 23-kilogram body make the 3D scanner easy to handle. Equally, it incorporates a virtual articulator for easier jaw model digitization. Users can work in open or closed hood mode and select their preferred scan mode, tailoring their parts. This dental 3D scanner enables a certain degree of freedom and a quicker workflow.
AutoScan-DS-EX from SHINING 3D
Chinese manufacturer SHINING 3D is known for its research and development of 3D scanning and additive manufacturing technologies. Its dental solutions include laboratory scanners, such as its AutoScan-DS-EX Pro(H) model. This tool uses blue structured light 3D scanning and can scan a model at high speed. It has relatively large dimensions of 260 mm x 270 mm x 420 mm and weighs only 5kg. According to the manufacturer, this scanner features a high level of accuracy and detail, a flexible workflow and several versatile scanning modes. Finally, in terms of dental applications, the AutoScan-DS-EX Pro(H) supports multiple dental scanning applications, such as wax-up, die, plaster model, impression, and texture, among others.
CARES®3 and 7 Series Dental Scanners
Straumann, a Swiss company, produces the CARES® 3 Series and 7 Series dental scanners. These scanners are known for their high accuracy in scanning, due to the advanced Blue Laser illumination system. The 7 Series has a slightly bigger size and speed, delivering up to 30 copings in just 15 minutes, while the 3 Series can scan up to 12 copings in 10 minutes. The accuracy measure is 15 microns and delivers output in STL format. The included CARES® Visual software allows users to design a wide array of prosthetics and then transfer them directly to the preferred production solution, either in the lab or some other specialized facility.
Ceramill Map 600+ from AmannGirrbach
The Ceramill map 600+ is a high-performance scanner provided by manufacturer Amann Girrbach. It features three axes and an open assembly area, making it very easy to handle and includes an integrated universal carrier plate. It uses blue light technology and a 3D sensor to deliver an HD scan with an accuracy of 4µm. Thanks to the advanced DNA speed scanning technology, it can create a complete jaw scan in 18 seconds, either as an STL or PLY file. The Ceramill map 600 weighs approximately 55 pounds (25 kg) and has dimensions of 16.3″ x 16.9″ x 18.5″ (415 x 424 x 469 mm).
CS.Neo2 from CADstar
CADstar, an Austrian manufacturer, has developed a series of 3D scanners specifically designed to meet the needs of the dental sector. The series includes the CS.Neo2, a professional solution, utilizing structured light 3D scanning technology to capture a complete model with precision up to 5 microns. With various scanning modes available, the CS.Neo2 can scan a dental prosthesis in just 12 seconds. Furthermore, it is equipped with two 12 MP cameras, ensuring high resolution for sharp contours and precise details. The CS.Neo2 is also fully compatible with Exocad design software and provides five export formats: 3Shape, Gamma, Onyx Ceph, STL, and PLY. CADstar has also launched two additional variants, the CS.Neo2 Pro, and the CS.Neo2 Max, new models with fundamental functionality of the original CS.Neo2, now with added features, such as enhanced-resolution color cameras and the ability to scan two models simultaneously, to optimize the scanning process.
DScan 5 from EGSolution
The DScan 5 is the newest dental scanner released by the Italian maker EGSolutions in 2020. It uses the structured light process, and has a camera with a resolution of 13 megapixels. Its capture volume is 3.5″ x 3.15″ x 2.16″ (90 x 80 x 55 mm), providing easy scanning of impressions, implants, crowns, and more. The DScan 5 has a precision of 0.005 mm and can export in 4 different formats: STL, PLY, OBJ, and ASC. This makes it suitable for both dental clinics and laboratories.
The Evolution Next Dental Lab 3D Scanner From Zfx™
Zfx™, a worldwide dental company based in Germany that is partnered with the US-based medical technology group ZimVie (Zimmer Biomet), has a 3D scanner that offers an answer for dental laboratories. The Zfx™ Evolution NEXT scanner distinguishes itself by being user-friendly. It is compact, measuring 405 x 410 x 277 mm, making it simple to fit into any workspace while still assuring precision and speed. One of its key features is its ability to digitize single-joint models, thanks to its 360-degree articulated scanner. The scanner is outfitted with a digital grazing light that casts unique scratch patterns on the target object at high speed with a visible LED. In addition, the projector uses FULL HD digital light processing (DLP) technology. The device is equipped with two color cameras with a high resolution of 2,048 x 1,536 pixels, guaranteeing precise detail capture.
The F8 Dental Laboratory Scanner From 3Shape
3Shape was founded to improve 3D scanning. Although initially working in the hearing field, the company has since turned its attention to the dental sector, and is now trying to improve dental care through digital solutions. The latest addition to their collection, the 3Shape F8 scanner, represents a significant step forward in terms of efficiency. It offers dental laboratories the ability to dramatically speed up their scanning processes, digitizing a full arch in just 9 seconds and a full impression in 46 seconds. This translates into increased productivity and improved profitability. In fact, the F8 scanner is the fastest in the entire 3Shape range. With its 4-micron accuracy, automatic start-up features and two separate slots for high and low models, the F8 scanner is the perfect tool for dental laboratories seeking greater efficiency.
inEos X5 from Dentsply Sirona
The next scanner is the inEos X5. This was launched by Dentsply Sirona, a merger of DENTSPLY International Inc. and Sirona Dental Systems, in 2013. The unique 5-axis scanning technology, the robotic arm and its large range of motion make the inEos X5 an all-round scanner with precise digital acquisition. Both models and impressions can be digitally scanned, so the scanner, which weighs about 88lbs (40kg) and has a volume of 18.7″ x 28.9″ x 18.1″ (474 x 735 x 460 mm), can be used for many different indications. The scan data acquired with the inEos X5 can be flexibly integrated into the further workflow – either via STL export or via wireless data transfer to the inLab CAD software.
Photo Credits: Denstply Sirona
The LS100 scanner from BLZ Dental
The LS100 dental laboratory scanner has been developed to simplify all workflows. It offers the ability to scan a variety of products such as crowns, veneers, partial or complete removable prostheses, and many others. According to the manufacturer, the all-in-one scanning of this 3D scanner can reduce the time usually required for scanning by up to 60%. What’s more, the Scanbody mode is specifically designed for dental implants, requiring high precision of position and direction. In terms of technical specifications, the LS100 scanner features a blue LED light source, a scanning accuracy of 8 μm, the ability to scan an entire arch in just 10 seconds, and compact dimensions of 370 x 280 x 430mm.
SINERGIA SCAN From Nobil-Metal
Another dental lab 3D scanner on our list comes from Italian company Nobil-Metal, founded in the 1920s and known best for its dental alloys and solders. The SINERGIASCAN, along with the plus and advancedplus models (the latest version of the scanner), are the company’s CAD/CAM scanning solutions. The base model is an optical scanner that uses structured light technology and has been designed to be easy to use, working fast and not needing frequent calibration thanks to the only moving part being the rotating plate. Additional add-ons like the dynamic articulator and QUAD (which helps optimize scanning time with the photogrammetric plate) modules help to further improve accuracy and repeatability. Resolution is between 10 – 5 µm depending on model and compatible files include STL, OBJ, OFF and PLY.
Photo Credits: Nobil-Metal
The S900 ARTI Scanner From Zirkonzahn
The S900 ARTI Scanner represents a notable advancement from the S600 in dental optical scanning technology, featuring three high-resolution, high-speed cameras that enhance measurement density and efficiency. Due to advanced software features, scanning is accelerated, achieving a precision of ≤ 10 μm. Its scanning field of 115 x 78; 16:9 format allows for comprehensive scans of the articulator and entire dental arches in a single process, easily accommodating various dental models. The scanner’s versatility enables the scanning of an extensive range of objects, including individual stumps, jaw segments, veneers, abutments, and more, without significant limitations. Adding to its capabilities, this scanner offers a Double-Scan function and color scanning feature, which are especially beneficial for crafting precise dental stellites. Alongside these, it incorporates a variety of matching functions, a high-precision gearbox, and intelligent grip support for improved scanning results. Lastly, its user-friendly design includes a laser pointer for quick and straightforward model positioning, and its captured data can be easily digitized and implemented within the Zirkonzahn software.
Photo Credits: Digital Dental Lab
Read More: Exploring the Best 3D Scanners Available for Dental Labs Today - 3D Printing News