November 30, 2022

What is Primescan Connect?

Last month at DS World 2022, Dentsply Sirona announced a new Primescan configuration - Primescan Connect. The new laptop-based Primescan.

Since their inception, CEREC scanners have been a cart-based option. The company is finally offering a USB-scanner that can be used with a laptop. A much better option for those who want to use Primescan between different sites.

Take note, this is not the CEREC Connect. CEREC is the name only used for the single-visit workflow solution. This is Primescan Connect. The company is choosing this name to make it clear this does not come with CEREC chairside software. This is just a scanner-only device.

Here are some quick facts about the Primescan Connect:

  • It is a Primescan at a more accessible price – the cost of Primescan connect is 41,335 NZD or approx. 24,000 USD.
  • It comes with a laptop (Lenovo), travel case, and DS Core Light and DS Core Care subscriptions included for three years (cloud, hardware and software maintenance package, more info here).
  • Primescan connect is not plugged into the laptop directly, there is a pod including a connection kit.
  • It is mandatory to use the validated laptop unit supplied by Dentsply. In other words, you cannot use any laptop or install the software on other computers.
  • It is exact same Primescan scanner as CEREC Primescan.
  • The same software is used as the digital impression unit (Connect SW 5.2).

Some of you may be aware that Dentsply Sirona also sell the DI (digital impression unit) which is basically a standard CEREC Primescan cart with the design software locked out. This sells for 50-60 thousand NZD which is the companies mid tier option. Primescan Connect is the most economical Primescan option.

Both of these options can utilize the DS Create digital ordering system, enabling seamless lab ordering from start to finish.

Primescan Connect is an open scanner, like all other Dentsply Sirona scanners, enabling STL export (not PLY or OBJ however).

So what is the difference between the DI unit and Primescan Connect? 

The DI Unit is a cart and the Primescan Connect is a laptop.

But more importantly, the DI unit has a has direct upgrade path to the CEREC ecosystem by adding a milling machine and unlocking the design software.

The Primescan Connect unit does NOT have this upgrade path. Meaning you cannot just add a milling machine to CEREC connect and use it for milling restorations. This is strictly a scanner-only device.

In saying that, the company says that if someone buys a Primescan Connect and wants to upgrade to the entire CEREC system there is a trade in option.

So that’s basically it! For the first time ever a laptop-based Dentsply Sirona scanner.

What are your thoughts? We will be reviewing this scanner soon and let you know if it performs that same as a cart-based Primescan.

Many of you will know that since their inception, CEREC scanners have always been a cart scanner. Single configuration, custom built cart with a PC. Either scan only or with the CEREC chairside CAD software.

The CEREC Primescan is one of my favorite scanners of all time thanks to the amazing same-day crown workflow. You can read my review of that scanner here.

Now we have had the first change to this in decades - Primescan Connect.

What are your thoughts? Leave your comments below.

About the author 

Dr Ahmad is a global leader in digital dentistry, intraoral scanners, 3D printing and CAD/CAM, carrying out lectures as a KOL for many companies and industry. He is one of the few in the world who owns and has tested all intraoral scanners (over 25) and CAD/CAM systems in his clinic. Dr Ahmad Al-Hassiny is a full-time private dentist in New Zealand and the Director of The Institute of Digital Dentistry (iDD), a world-leading digital dentistry education provider. iDD offers live courses, masterclasses, and an online training platform, with a mission to ensure dentists globally have easy and affordable access to the best digital dentistry training possible.


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