The Primescan 2 earns this award by fundamentally changing how intraoral scanners process data. For the first time in digital dentistry, we're seeing true cloud-based scanning - where the processing happens in the cloud rather than on local hardware.

This isn't just a technical achievement - it's a paradigm shift in how we think about digital impressions. By moving processing to the cloud, Primescan 2 eliminates the need for expensive, powerful laptops or desktops that have been a hallmark of digital dentistry. Practices can now scan on virtually any device, from basic laptops to tablets.

The implications of this innovation extend beyond just hardware savings. What makes this truly innovative is how DS Core is evolving into a comprehensive platform for digital dentistry. By building this platform, Dentsply Sirona is laying the groundwork for future innovations. The ability to instantly share scans, access AI diagnostics, cloud-based CAD and collaborate with colleagues globally through a single platform suggests where digital dentistry is heading.

The Primescan 2's cloud scanning capability is impressive, but it's the integration with this broader platform that makes it truly innovative.

The Alliedstar AS 200E proves that excellent scanning capability doesn't have to come with a premium price tag. After their recent software overhaul, this scanner delivers performance that challenges much more expensive options in the market.

The build quality is impressive. The scanner feels solid and well-engineered, with thoughtful design touches like buttons on both sides of the scanner. The wireless charging solution is especially clever - the scanner dock doubles as a charging station, both for the scanner and spare batteries, eliminating the need for separate charging hardware.

What really sets the AS 200E apart is how the entire package comes together. The improved software platform brings a clean, intuitive interface and efficient workflows, while the scanning performance delivers consistently reliable results. Add in the convenience of wireless operation and smart charging solution, and you have a scanner that exceeds expectations.

3Shape's TRIOS Core takes this year's mid-range scanner award by bringing premium scanning technology to a more accessible price point. By streamlining the TRIOS software package while maintaining the core scanning excellence that TRIOS is known for, 3Shape has created a compelling option for practices looking for proven technology without the premium price tag.

The TRIOS Core retains the excellent scanning capability and renowned TRIOS edentulous scanning ability of its more expensive siblings. What you give up are some of the engagement apps found in the premium versions, but the fundamental scanning experience remains impressive. The scanner still produces the accurate, detailed scans that have made TRIOS a respected name in digital dentistry.

I believe the scanner hits a sweet spot in the market - proven TRIOS hardware and essential features at a price point that makes sense for many practices who may have been priced out previously. For those who want TRIOS quality at the lowest cost possible, the CORE offers an excellent balance of performance and value.

At around $5,000 USD, the Helios 500 represents something remarkable in digital dentistry - a genuinely affordable entry point that delivers clinically acceptable results. While it may lack the advanced software features of more expensive scanners, it handles the fundamentals of digital impressions competently. Dont get it wrong either, this is a fast scanner.

The scanner delivers reliable performance for everyday clinical needs. Its straightforward software interface focuses on the essential functions that most practices use daily, without overwhelming users with complex features they may never need. 

What makes the Helios 500 particularly noteworthy isn't just its low price - it's that it provides a legitimate path into digital dentistry for practices that might otherwise find the initial investment prohibitive. The scanner proves that acceptable digital impression technology can now be delivered at a fraction of what was possible just a few years ago.

The iTero Lumina represents a complete reinvention of the iTero line. While the Element 5D and 5D+ are acceptable performers, they were known for their bulky design and dated scanning speeds. The Lumina changes everything about the iTero experience.

Most notably, iTero has dramatically reduced the scanner size. The new scanner is significantly more compact than its predecessors, making it much more comfortable to use in daily practice. This size reduction doesn't come at the expense of features - the Lumina retains all the diagnostic capabilities iTero is known for, just in a much more refined package.

This isn't just a minor update - it's a ground-up redesign that addresses nearly every criticism of previous iTero models. The difference between the Lumina and Element 5D+ is so dramatic that it's hard to believe they're from the same product line. iTero has proven they can completely reimagine their scanner while maintaining the clinical excellence that made them successful in the first place.

Straumann's acquisition of Alliedstar and the launch of their SIRIOS scanner may mark a significant shift in the intraoral scanner market. When one of dentistry's biggest players makes a move like this, the entire industry takes notice.

The acquisition of Alliedstar was clearly the first step in Straumann's broader scanner strategy. By leveraging Alliedstar's scanning technology and combining it with their own considerable resources and expertise, they've created something interesting with the SIRIOS scanner. But what makes Straumann a rising star isn't just their new scanner - it's what this means for the broader digital dentistry landscape.

Straumann's established global presence, extensive reseller network, and deep relationships with dental practices worldwide means they could rapidly become a major player in the scanner market. Their understanding of clinical workflows, particularly in implant dentistry, could lead to some interesting developments in scanner-implant integration.

With Straumann's track record of acquiring promising technology and scaling it successfully, we expect to see significant developments in their scanner division over the coming year. The question isn't if Straumann will make waves in the scanner market - it's how big those waves will be.

Despite increasing competition in the IOS space, Medit continues to dominate this category. While other companies have been playing catch-up by adding basic apps to their scanners, Medit's software suite remains unmatched in both breadth and depth.

What sets Medit apart is not just the quantity of apps - it's their quality and integration. From their Model Builder to their newly enhanced Clinic CAD software, every app feels polished and purposeful. Their Smile Design, orthodontic simulation tools, and advanced AI-powered features continue to evolve with meaningful updates.

Most impressively, Medit maintains their "no subscription" model - all these professional-grade apps come included with their scanners (although there is a minimal fee for cloud storage of scans).

In an industry trending toward subscription-based software, this commitment to providing comprehensive, free software tools deserves recognition. The recent addition of full CAD capabilities has effectively transformed their software from a collection of apps into a complete digital dentistry platform. While other companies are still figuring out basic applications, Medit continues to push the boundaries of what scanner software can do.