One of the biggest market trends right now in intraoral scanners is full arch implant solutions.
We have Elite with intraoral photogrammetry (IPG), 3Shape teaming up with TruAbument, and a range of horizontal scan body solutions coming out. One of the most interesting developments in this space is the DOF Freedom Air.
I recently had the opportunity to get hands-on experience with DOF's latest intraoral scanner, and I thank them for coming to my practice in New Zealand, all the way from Korea.
Designed specifically with photogrammetry in mind, this device represents the current market trend in IOS devices - providing solutions to carry out full arch restorations easily. But instead of special scan bodies, it has photogrammetry built in.
True Photogrammetry in an IOS
The most impressive aspect of the FREEDOM Air isn't just another incremental improvement to existing technology - it's the integration of wide-area photogrammetry directly into the scanner.
This isn't horizontal scan bodies or IPG like the Shining 3D Elite, this is true photogrammetry built right into the scanner itself. The fact they pulled this off in one device is really cool, to be honest.
How it works is a special scanning-head attachment goes onto the scanner instead of the scanner tip. This has a chin rest and lens that makes the light coming from the scanner refract into a wide area. The only downside is that this scanning tip is not autoclavable, much like an external photogrammetry device.
PIM Solution: Precise Implant Measurement
The FREEDOM Air introduces what DOF calls their "PIM Solution" (Precise Implant Measurement Solution).
The scan process is:
- Perform a standard intraoral scan of the edentulous areas using a normal scanning tip
- Complete a scan body scan outside the mouth using the Guide Tool (shown above)
- Merge the scan body data using the IOS to scan inside the mouth using the software
Simple and very similar to using an extra-oral photogrammetry device. Except now all in one software and with one device.
One nice feature is that the scan bodies they use for this workflow are simply hand-tightened and are made in a shape that facilitates this - smart improvement that should be more common with these types of scan bodies.
Some other interesting tech specs about the scanner is that it is only 145 grams, which makes it one of the most lightweight on the market. However, it has multiple cables - one connects to a scanning base, which then plugs into the PC and the wall for power - presumably to run the photogrammetry camera. The company told me they are working on a single USB C solution soon.
The other interesting addition is the D-Pad, kind of like a game controller, which is the total opposite of having touch controls. The D-Pad actually works well and makes it easy to control the software and process through the workflow.
Lastly, the cost and release date - I was told the DOF Freedom Air will be released around May 2025.
As usual with scanners prices can vary by country. The RRP in the USA is $16,000 USD including the PIM kit. This is decent value for money when you consider you get a photogrammetry device built into the scanner and that the other 'photogrammetry' scanner is the Elite at close to 20k, or IO connect by Truabutment is 3000 USD (no scanner).
Because it's unreleased, I personally haven't used this on patients yet and only got to try the workflows on models. I will withhold judgment on its performance until I can, then I will publish a full review for you, but I have to say, it is a very interesting advancement for IOS technology.
Looking Ahead
The intraoral scanner market continues to evolve and develop.
IDS 2025 gave us scanners with AI diagnostics with the TRIOS 6, OCT technology with the Lilivis prototype, and now we have the integration of photogrammetry directly into an IOS with the DOF Freedom Air.
Where traditional scanning methods fall short in capturing precise implant positions, particularly in full arch implant cases, the FREEDOM Air's photogrammetry-based approach aims to provide a solution. Especially for those not convinced with horizontal scan bodies like Shining 3D Elite or TruAbutment IO Conenct.
To me, I am just excited at how we keep getting better and better technologies at our disposal. Digital dentistry is well and truly the new standard of how we practice dentistry.
Thanks for reading - if you have any questions about the DOF Freedom Air, leave them below!