Status quo of Intraoral scanner companies-1

The intraoral scanner market has indeed experienced significant changes in the past three years since 2022. There have been new intraoral scanner brands emerging and gaining popularity(Alliedstar and Shining3D), while some other established brands have struggled to maintain their market position.

Some customers have asked me about my opinion on which intraoral scanner brand will gain popularity after Medit, Shining3D, and Alliedstar. From my perspective, it's difficult to predict, but I can share my thoughts on the current intraoral scanner companies and industry trends to help you make your own judgment.

Pyramid of intraoral scanner needs

The pyramid of intraoral scanner needs comprises five layers, which also reflects the strength of intraoral scanner companies from different dimensions.

The first and second layers, digital impression-taking and patient engagement, represent the core needs and values of an intraoral scanner. Performing well in both is crucial for success.

The third layer is CAD/CAM workflow integration, essential for same-day dentistry in practice labs and high-end practices.

The fourth layer is the app store, which opens up more possibilities in dental diagnosis and treatment by combining data acquired, adding value for both dentists and patients.

The fifth layer represents the needs of dental practice users who have the budget and require a premium scanner to deliver the best user and patient experience efficient

From the perspective of the pyramid of intraoral scanner needs, we can observe what those mainstream intraoral scanner (IOS) companies are focusing on through their latest products and software updates.

3shape: leading intraoral scanner manufacturer

3Shape has recently released the TRIOS Core, a digital impression scanner priced at $12,400 (excluding tax and shipping for the end user). This is the most affordable scanner from 3Shape, allowing dentists to use it as a digital impression tool and a scan-and-send scanner. It is a cheaper version of the TRIOS3, which has been available for 7 years since its initial launch, compared to TRIOS3, the TRIOS Core has the following differences:

The TRIOS Core is a laptop scanner, trios move+ is not available.

It captures only 1400 images per minute, compared to the TRIOS 3 and 4 (1875 images per minute) and the TRIOS 5 (2400 images per minute).

It is not compatible with Invisalign in countries outside North America, China and Japan.

It does not provide access to the 3Shape TRIOS software apps for patient engagement.

However, it is still available with the 3Shape Unite App Store.

It is evident that 3shape needs to meet the growing demands for a cost-effective and reliable scan-and-send-to-lab scanner priced around 10k USD. The Trios Core is the appropriate choice. To distinguish it from other Trios models, from the hardware perspective, they have removed the Trios Move+ all-in-one touch cart, while simultaneously making minimal adjustments to the FPS without significant impact. In terms of software, they have removed the software applications for patient engagement but retained the 3shape Unite app store as a competitive barrier against other iOS companies, which is a very smart choice.

The launch of Trios Core indicates that the market is maturing. Intraoral scanner companies should offer a diverse range of models tailored to different market segments and meet different pyramid layers of the needs, such as digital impression scanners, all-in-one touch scanners, scanner models across various price ranges, and scanners that cater to both digital impression and patient engagement.

It is evident that 3shape holds an advantage in CAD/CAM workflow integration and its app store, which serves as a competitive barrier across all their scanners. While others may eventually achieve this, it is worth noting that most mainstream iOS companies, except for Shining3D, have already completed core CAD/CAM workflow integration and possess an app store.

3shape has developed the scanner very well based on confocal technology, and it seems difficult for them to further improve scanning performance. I was wondering what the next innovations will be with the new wireless intraoral scanner that 3shape is currently developing?

iTero: The "Apple" of Orthodontic Scanners

Align technology stands as an "apple"-style company in the orthodontic field, leveraging its dominant market position with the Invisalign clear aligner. Most dentists prefer the iTero intraoral scanner for Invisalign cases, as it exclusively accepts intraoral scan data from the iTero scanner and the 3shape Trios 3 (excluding North America, China, and Japan). This market dominance has allowed them to establish a robust business model with iTero scanners, evident in their latest Lumina intraoral scanner.

Some interesting findings with Lumina intraoral scanner:

1. The Lumina adopts a new technology route called stereo vision, incorporating lenses in the tip window. With iTero Multi-Direct Capture? technology, the Lumina differs significantly from other scanners on the same technology route, such as 3Disc Heron ios and Launca Medical DL 300. It is speculated that the manufacturing cost of iTero Lumina is significantly lower than the current iTero Element series scanners.
2. Although not fully mature, with restorative accuracy not yet optimized, and limitations in scan depth affecting the scanning experience compared to the iTero Element scanner (tip sleeve can partially mitigate this issue but is not sufficient).
3. The consumable tip sleeve presents a profitable business model, as they can charge for each tip usage.
4. Photo-realistic color is a unique feature they aim to promote.
5. It maintains a high price point, approximately $45,000 USD.
6. Offers a wide field of capture.
7. Features a smaller, lighter wand.

Known for its large and heavy scanner handpiece (or wand) and wide scan field of view, the Lumina is now small and lightweight enough for comfortable handling. This trend is seen in all new intraoral scanner models, with small and lightweight scanner handpieces offering a wide field of view, beneficial for smooth scanning and scan stitching.

Stereo vision technology scanners inherently face accuracy and scanning smoothness issues. It is interesting to see how the iTero Lumina scanner addresses and resolves these problems.

Photo-realistic color scan data is becoming increasingly important for all intraoral scanner manufacturers, as it is the foundation of patient engagement. Realistic color is also beneficial for diagnosis and technician CAD design. Currently, iTero, Alliedstar, and Shining3D excel in this aspect.

While the iTero scanner has never been highly rated as a scanner, it sells well due to Invisalign and excellent patient engagement features such as Outcome Simulator Pro and Smile Architect, based on realistic color 3D scan data. Its all-in-one touch cart enhances the premium feel of the iTero scanner. A beautiful all-in-one touch cart for the intraoral scanner is a significant trend among most wired intraoral scanners.

Notably, Align technology owns EXOCAD, one of the two most popular CAD software, which is key for them to penetrating the GP market. It will be interesting to see how Exocad integration boosts iTero scanner sales through software integration and campaigns like the ExciTe - an exocad and iTero team learning journey.

I was wondering when iTero will introduce their wireless intraoral scanner, maybe wireless Lumina?