Aoralscan 3 Intraoral Scanner Review | the latest IOS by Shining 3D – the best low-cost IOS?

The same preps were scanned on the same day with six different scanners. (Shining 3D Aoralscan 3 is the second from the top). All scans meshed together in software to compare accuracy. We noted no discernable difference in scanner accuracy.

Overall the Aoralscan 3 scanner performs very well for various indications from single crowns, implant scans, edentulous sites, and deep preps. We had no issues. It also has a 22mm scan depth which can be useful scanning narrow or deep spaces.

Using the scanner properly and controlling the scanning field correctly will result in a good scan. Poor usage will result in poor scans. Just like any other scanner, the operator is the key.

Here you can see the tessellated mesh with all the vertices of the scans compared. Note the more complex detail in the CEREC Primescan and Medit i700 scans this also contributes to a better rendered result in the colour scan.

Below is a comparison of a metal tooth scan in both colour and mono, notice the more complex details from the Primescan but still a very admirable job for the Aoralscan 3 considering it is a quarter the price.

The Aoralscan 3 also has a 'refined scan' setting similar to 'HD scan' seen in other scanner devices. This setting seems to create a higher resolution image with more tightly bundled meshes as shown below.

Yellow model = CEREC Primescan. Green = Aoralscan 3 normal mode. Purple = Aoralscan 3 'refined scan' mode.

One nice workflow feature we liked was that as soon as you finish your bite registration (which is very quickly aligned by the software), the scanner automatically shows you a heat map of the occlusion straight away without having to click into a menu. It is just instant as soon as bite registration is complete. This makes a lot of sense and is a great workflow improvement over standard.

Final processing of full-arch scans takes about 3-5 minutes. Which we would say is about average across all scanners. Not the most optimized post-processing, but not the slowest.

Aoralscan 3 handles arches, edentulous sites and metals well.

Aoralscan 3 Calibration

The Aoralscan 3 scanner comes with one of the largest calibration tools we have ever seen. Unlike other calibration devices, you do not have to manually do anything. Insert the scanner (with no scanning tip) into the calibration tool, and the rest is automated. This calibration tool also needs to be plugged into the computer by USB. It uses power from the USB to automate the process. Sounds good on paper.

The issue is that this is the slowest calibration I have ever seen in a scanner. Calibration takes a very long time, around 8 minutes when we timed it, and 5 minutes on a recent update. That is not a big deal if calibration is done routinely at the start of the day, for instance, but it will be a grueling wait if you need to calibrate while the patient is in the chair. They need to make this process faster. Thankfully, you can still scan if it is overdue for calibration. 

Calibration usually needs to be done every 2-3 weeks, and the software does a great job of reminding you.

The Aoralscan 3 calibration tool is the largest on the market. Also requires USB connection.

One other unique feature is a 'brightness' calibration. This is thankfully much faster than the standard calibration, and I can only assume it controls the exposure setting / ISO of the sensor. As generally, the images of the Aoralscan 3 look very bright.

Although many scanners are 'calibration-free' these days, the benefit of not needing a calibration tool is that the user does not have to worry about calibrating the scanner before cases. The downside is that the user will not know if scanner accuracy is optimal and whether the scanner is performing correctly.

Calibration is easy to carry out with many prompts on the screen.

The software guides you through calibration. But this process takes a very long time.

Shining 3D Aoralscan 3 Software

The software that runs the Aoralscan 3 scanner is called Dental Launcher. You can install the software by running the application inside the USB with the scanner.

The Aoralscan 3 software is easily the best out of all Chinese scanners tested by iDD so far. Frankly, it is better than many scanners on the market, for that matter.

The software is modern-looking, easy to use, simplified, aesthetic, and loaded with excellent features. Chinese scanners are catching up on the software game.

Modern and aesthetic looking software. Intuitive and easy to use.

The software is designed in a way that is intuitive and efficient. Essential scanner software functions such as analyzing occlusion or reduction space, editing scans, removing any scan data, etc., are all present in the software.

It also has extra features not commonly seen in other low-cost scanners, like undercut analysis, margin line placement, scan coordinate adjustment, and direct exocad exporting.

All these features work well and are highly polished for the most part. It is very impressive for an affordable intraoral scanner.

A number of tools are included such as undercut analysis and margin line tools.

Shining 3D provides even more with this offering by having fully-fledged cloud-based storage for scans. You can send cases to anyone who has an Aoralscan 3 Cloud account. When using the workflow, everything is stored locally, and it is up to you to move it to the cloud manually.

Did I mention it also has apps? This is the only Chinese scanner that has incorporated multiple scanner apps into the software - model builder, orthodontic simulation and an 'Oral Health Report' - a unique innovation.

Cases are presented in a unique and intuitive way.

Aoralscan 3 Orthodontic Simulation

Orthodontic Simulation is a fantastic addition to the Shining 3D software. I am surprised that such a low-cost scanner has this application as most don't. In fact, most scanners double or triple the cost of Aoralscan 3 don't.
As many already know, Ortho Simulators create an orthodontic alignment animation after you have taken full arch scans. You can find these simulators in Carestream Dental, Medit, TRIOS, and iTero scanners.

The Aoralscan 3 Ortho Simulator is fantastic for what it is. It is a communication tool that works very well and is highly automated with accurate automatic teeth segmentation. The tooth setups (all done by the AI) look good, and it is just a very well-done piece of software. Easy to use and excellent results.

Typically these simulators can be a little hit and miss, but the Shining 3D version seems to do well. This version is like the Medit ortho simulator but easier to use, requiring just a few clicks and making the entire workflow intuitive. It does have fewer features, however.

I was most impressed by the tooth setup carried out automatically as the AI aligned the teeth. The Orthodontic Simulator includes automatic segmentation of all the teeth, which is done close to perfect every time we tested it. It even picks up missing teeth correctly, and any refinements needed are done easily.

The Orthodontic Simulation produced by the Shining 3D software is interactive, but it does not have fully-fledged modification tools. Because it is intended as a communication tool, these simulations look great and are a powerful motivation tool for patients interested in orthodontics/aligners—a great addition to the software.

Ortho Simulation using Aoralscan 3 is automated and efficient. Great communication tool.

Invisalign users: for those of you who provide Invisalign treatment for your patients, Align will NOT accept Aoralscan 3 scans for Invisalign treatment. You will need to consider other aligner options. This is no reflection of the scanner itself.

Aoralscan 3 Model Builder aka AccuDesign

The Aoralscan 3 Model Builder app is another excellent addition to the software. This allows you to quickly and easily design printable 3D models from your scans within a few clicks. It is pretty fitting for a company that also sells 3D printers.

These model files can be made from any scan and are ready for printing. Not a unique software to Shining 3D Aoralscan 3 as a model builder application comes with many scanners such as Medit, iTero, 3Shape, and Carestream. But, Aoralscan 3 is significantly more affordable than those scanners, and no other low-cost scanner has this lineup of apps.

This Model Builder software is easy to use. Within 2-3 clicks, you can have a perfectly printable model. Typically users have to use other software such as Meshmixer to achieve this. Still, now it is all done within the software, within a few clicks.

Shining 3D seems to have taken some inspiration from Medit, as they have created a software with the same strengths. The model building process is very streamlined and gives you several options for your bases. You can easily choose the thickness and height, hollow or solid, drain holes or not, add text, etc. It is an impressive software addition.

Chinese scanners have caught up in scanning speed, but most do not compete on software. This is changing. The Shining 3D software is missing only a smile design software to have a complete lineup. It is impressive to see these software apps done so well in a low-cost Chinese intraoral scanner.

AccuDesign model builder looks rudimentary but works well.

Aoralscan 3 Ease of Use

As with almost every scanner on the market these days, the Aoralscan software does very well in making the workflow straightforward. Ease of use comes from the software that supports the hardware. Overall the entire software has a level of polish you don't typically see in Chinese products and is well thought out.

Everything works very well, from creating cases and sending them to the multiple scanner apps. The software that runs Aoralscan 3 is fantastic and nice to see in an economical product. 

When using the scanner daily, the workflow is intuitive. It follows a simple step-by-step progression that is identical across almost every scanner on the market.

The typical workflow is as follows:

• Filling out the patient details and order form
• Scanning the preparation
• Scanning the opposing teeth 
• Scanning the bite

Order forms are easy to understand and modern-looking.

I find it hard to find downsides with this scanner software. All I can say is that it doesn't have as many tools as Medit, but it is excellent, primarily because of the cost. Additionally, if we are picky, the indication options, e.g., full crown, pontic, inlay, etc., are not the most extensive.

You will likely need to clarify your indications in the notes tab or your lab's personal lab sheet. Apart from that, it is delightful to use the software.

Shining 3D software does not design any prosthetics nor has any design aspects. Essentially the Aoralscan 3 is just a scanner with no CAD design software apart from a model builder. For those looking to carry out the entire workflow in-house, this scanner will need to be combined with third-party CAD software and milling machines.

One positive aspect is that the Aoralscan does have exocad exporting capabilities.

Overall the software user interface is modern and works well. It is a very impressive Chinese product and a low-cost offering. This software is easily in the top 5 scanners on the market, and it does a lot of things right.

Software is easy to use with clear and intuitive buttons.

Open or Closed Architecture

The Aoralscan 3 is an open scanner, and the software enables easy exporting of scans in multiple different formats. This includes STL but also PLY, OBJ, and exocad file types.

You will primarily use STL, the most widely accepted scanning format across labs and software. One key distinction is that the STL file is NOT a color file. Although the scanner scans in color, you will be designing on a monochrome model when exporting in STL and opening in design software.

PLY or OBJ files include color details, and it is great to see this being offered as an export option. The software makes exporting scans straightforward from both the software and the cloud.

Exporting of scans in multiple different file types is done automatically once the case is completed. This is stored locally with several additional files, as shown below.

Exporting is simple and easy to do after scanning. STL PLY and OBJ options exist.

All the files exported including this interesting mesh of intraoral photographs automatically generated.

Shining 3D Aoralscan 3 Price

The Aoralscan 3 scanner is one of the most affordable scanners. The recommended retail price of the scanner is $10,999 USD. Take note - the retail price may vary slightly according to local tax policies and other factors, so check with your local distributor or reseller.

Regardless, at this price point, the Aoralscan 3 is an entry-level scanner and easily one of the most affordable IOS on the market. And for what you get, it is pretty darn impressive. For under $11,000, you get a very well-performing scanner with great software.

An ongoing cost you need to consider is the scanning heads. Aoralscan 3 has removable and autoclavable scanning heads, which provide ideal cross-infection control. This feature has become the norm across the entire IOS market.

The autoclavable scanning heads have a limit of 100 autoclave cycles at 134 degrees Celsius, after which they will need to be replaced. Scanning heads are sold individually at $45 USD each ($0.45 USD per patient) .

A range of intraoral scanners here at the Institute of Digital Dentistry arranged by price.
Left to right - Most expensive to least expensive

Aoralscan 3 Yearly Fees / Subscription 

The Aoralscan 3 has no yearly fees or subscription costs.

The omission of subscription/yearly fees is becoming increasingly common in the IOS market. Low cost and subscription-free are how these Chinese scanners will penetrate the market.

Aoralscan 3 has a decent cloud storage service with the scanner. Surprisingly, it also is free. Who knows if this stays like this forever, however.

So absolutely no ongoing fees for using the scanner itself, only the scanner heads.

Aoralscan 3 Review Summary

In summary, this is our in-depth review of the Aoralscan 3 intraoral scanner by Shining 3D. Overall, the Aoralscan 3 impressed us in many ways. It is an economical scanner option. It is fast, easy to use, and does many things right from hardware to software and everything in-between. When you also consider that this is one of the most economical scanners on the market, it makes it even better. 

The Aoralscan 3 scanner impressed us in many ways, and we did not expect such a significant upgrade compared to the previous generation Aoralscan 2 and 1. We tried the predecessor back in IDS 2019 and gave it mostly a 1-2 star rating. This is a completely improved scanner in every way.

The scanner performance alone is impressive. It is fast and smooth to scan with. We could take full arch scans easily within 30-40 seconds. The software has a level of polish and usability not commonly seen in the low-cost end of the market. Then you learn about all the software applications that come with the Aoralscan 3, which sweetens the deal even more.

Applications such as the orthodontic simulator and model builder work very well. These are not just cheap add-ons for the sake of having them, instead are well executed and can be utilized on a day-to-day basis. The only thing missing is a smile design simulator, but I have no doubt that Shining 3D will continue to build on this excellent software. This collection of software applications is rare across the entire scanner market, especially in low-cost scanners.  

The main downside of the scanner is that it still requires a power adaptor (minor gripe) and the fact that the resolution of the scans appear a little low resolution. They are not the worst I have seen but not the best either. The algorithm used to capture the data seems to smoothen it out a lot, and when compared to some higher-end scanners, it has fewer details. This doesn't seem to have a clinical significance, however. 

Apart from that, we can see the merits of the Aoralscan 3 as a stand-alone scanner option compared to other products. This scanner is less than half the cost of many others and performs to a very high standard. 

For those looking to carry out CAD/CAM in-house (which we highly recommend every dentist looks into), this scanner may not be the best to invest in. This is not a reflection of the Aoralscan 3, but instead because CEREC and TRIOS offer better workflows for same-day dentistry.

The scanner market is heating up. For those who want a scanner to take digital impressions and send them to a lab, the Aoralscan 3 is a scanner I can easily recommend. For a few thousand more in this price bracket, you can also buy a Medit i600 when it becomes available. These two scanners are the best-overall low-cost scanners. Many scanners have decent scanning speeds but lack the software. Aoralscan 3 by Shining 3D does well in both. 

It is incredible how the price point for intraoral scanners has dropped over the years. Shining 3D shows us you can provide a premium scanner at the lowest end of the scanner market cost. You can now get an excellent product for under $11K USD. This is beneficial for all dental professionals worldwide. It will enable more adoption for those worried about the initial investment cost or those in emerging markets who cannot afford the prices 3Shape and CEREC demand.

If there is anything we did not cover or have a question, please leave a comment below.