Straumann Announces their New Intraoral Scanner – SIRIOS

Straumann, a global leader in implant and restorative dentistry, has been at the forefront of dental innovation for decades. It is also one of the top five largest dental companies in the world. 

While they've long been known for their implant systems and digital solutions, they've notably been virtually absent from the intraoral scanner (IOS) market in recent years. Their last intraoral scanner was the Virtuo Vivo, released in 2019.

Well, this is all going to change.

Straumann has just announced the release of SIRIOS on September 19, 2024, marking its latest release in the intraoral scanner market. This new product expands Straumann's digital dentistry offerings and potentially broadens their influence in the field. 

Let's go over the features of this new IOS together.

Straumann's Strategic Acquisition: From Alliedstar to SIRIOS

After acquiring Alliedstar last year, this seems to be Straumann's next move.

This SIRIOS intraoral scanner looks like a rebranded AS 200E with a new color scheme and new software.

This strategic decision marks a significant shift in Straumann's approach to digital dentistry and may signal the end for Virtuo Vivo, their previous scanning solution.

The decision to rebrand and enhance the AS 200E rather than develop an entirely new scanner from scratch is not surprising decision. The Alliedstar scanners are very good. We have tested all of them at iDD and have been surprised at how well they perform. You can see our reviews of the alliedstar products here.

And with Straumann aquiring the company, it makes sense for them to use this IP.

Alliedstar AS200E

This new scanner allows Straumann to leverage proven hardware while focusing its efforts on software development and ecosystem integration - areas where its expertise truly shines.

From the specifications and features announced, it's seems that Straumann has put significant thought into how SIRIOS fits into their broader digital workflow offerings. This move also highlights the rapidly evolving nature of the intraoral scanner market. 

As technology advances and market dynamics shift, companies must adapt quickly. By building on the foundation of the AS 200E, Straumann can enter the market with a much better product than the Virtuo Vivo while still offering unique value through their software and digital ecosystem.

For existing Virtuo Vivo users, this transition may raise questions about ongoing support and upgrade paths. It will be interesting to see how Straumann addresses these concerns and whether they offer any migration options for current customers.

The rebranding of the AS 200E as SIRIOS also demonstrates Straumann's commitment to creating a cohesive brand identity across its digital dentistry offerings. 

By bringing the scanner under the Straumann brand, Straumann is positioning SIRIOS as an integral part of its digital workflow rather than a separate tool.

Take note that the Alliedstar scanners are still going be sold under their brand alongside the SIRIOS.

I am curious to see how significant the differences will be between the SIRIOS software and the Alliedstar software.

SIRIOS Cloud Integration

The company says SIRIOS is designed with cloud integration in mind. The scanner seamlessly connects with Straumann's AXS portal, allowing for easy case sharing, collaboration, and access to Straumann's suite of digital services.

While not fully cloud-based like some recent entries in the market such as Dentsply Sirona's Primescan 2, SIRIOS represents a significant step towards cloud-centric workflows in digital dentistry. 

This approach balances the benefits of cloud connectivity with the reliability of local processing, potentially offering a more flexible solution for practices with varying internet capabilities.

SIRIOS Design and Hardware

As expected, the SIRIOS looks a lot like the AS 200E. It is a wireless scanner with a modern-looking design (check out our AS 200E review for all the details). 

The main difference is the new grey color and the Straumann logo on the front.

Here are some key features:

• Wireless scanner with wireless charging
• Calibration free
• Weighs only 245g, including the battery 
• Two tip sizes available 
• Up to 2 hours of continuous scanning on a single charge

One standout feature of the Alliedstar scanners that we like at iDD is that they have 2 scanning buttons (one on each side of the scanner). This is actually quite useful for ergonomics. Once again, for a full breakdown of the AS 200E - read our review.

SIRIOS’ High-Speed Scanning and Wireless Connectivity

In terms of scanning performance, SIRIOS promises to hold its own against established players in the market. Some notable specifications include:

• High-speed scanning - full arch scans in 20-30 seconds
• 20 micron resolution 
• Flexible scanning strategy without the need for scan strategies

The wireless connectivity is said to be robust, with Straumann claiming a range of up to 7 meters from the connection hub.

SIRIOS Software: AI-Powered Dental Workflows and Integrations

The SIRIOS software is where Straumann's expertise in digital dentistry really shines. 

The company says they will offer:

• Optimized workflows for implants, surgical planning, restorative work, and orthodontics
• Direct integration with coDiagnostiX, NOVA CAD, and ClearCorrect
• AI-assisted tools for margin line detection and scan optimization

How Much Does SIRIOS Cost?

• SIRIOS scanner price is $12,995 USD
• Scanner tips: Approximately $65 USD each, autoclavable up to 150 times

At under 13,000 USD this makes the Straumann SIRIOS one of the most affordable scanners on the market. This is crazy value for a wireless scanner and a sign of how competitive the intraoral scanner market has become. It is also worth noting that SIRIOS operates on a subscription-free model.

Conclusion

While we haven't had hands-on experience with SIRIOS yet, I have used the AS 200E for many years now.

Straumann has leveraged its recent purchase of Alliedstar to release a new scanner that seamlessly integrates with Straumann's ecosystem. This could be a significant advantage, especially for practices already invested in Straumann products. 

It is important to note that Alliedstar was aquired by Straumann last year and will continue to to build its it’s own portfolio of scanners. The Straumann SIRIOS will be sold alongside Alliedstar and will be differentiated thanks to the software SIRIOS suite. 

It's an exciting time in digital dentistry, and it’s interesting to see Straumann re-enter the intraoral scanner market. We look forward to providing a more detailed review once we've had the chance to test SIRIOS in a clinical setting.

In the meantime, we'd love to hear your thoughts. Are you considering SIRIOS for your practice? What features are you most excited about?

Stay tuned for more updates and our hands-on impressions of SIRIOS.