The Institute of Digital Dentistry recently welcomed Yohan Kim, Chief Commercial Officer of Ray, to the Digital Dentistry Decoded podcast.
This conversation unveiled Ray's new 5D CBCT technology and offered insights into the current trajectory of digital dentistry.
Let's delve into the this fascinating exchange from one of the companies that made face scanning more popular.
Listen below.
Watch our Podcast episode, available now on YouTube:
Ray's Evolution and the 5D Revolution
Founded in 2004, Ray has spent 21 years developing comprehensive digital dentistry solutions spanning CBCT, CAD software, 3D printers, and milling machines. Their latest innovation, the 5D solution, represents the culmination of all their tech they have been developing.
But what exactly is 5D? According to Yohan Kim, the name derives from adding new dimensions to traditional 3D imaging:
"The 5D means, normally we have CBCT as we know, and then we have all the segmented data in there, with AI , and then we have first scan data in one viewer. 3D plus one more dimension plus the face. This is 5D."
This consolidation enables a seamless diagnostic workflow that carries through to treatment. The system's most remarkable feat? Using artificial intelligence to process and segment all patient data within a mere two minutes, potentially transforming how practitioners visualize and comprehend diagnostic information.
The Digital Dentistry Landscape
When asked about prevailing trends, Yohan Kim didn't hesitate: "The biggest trend is definitely AI, AI diagnostics, and AI CAD software. And then cloud-based software solution."
Despite some practitioners' reluctance to adopt cloud solutions due to concerns about data security and transmission speeds, Yohan believes cloud-based technology represents the inevitable future.
He notes that dental data portability - the ability for patient information to follow them regardless of which clinic they visit—will ultimately drive wider acceptance.
The conversation revealed surprising statistics about CBCT adoption. According to Yohan Kim, penetration rates in Korea boast an exceptional adoption rate exceeding 80%. This correlation between CBCT and implant treatment adoption underscores how diagnostic technology follows clinical demand.
As software capabilities have expanded, practitioner preferences have evolved toward larger fields of view, shifting from 10x10 to 13-16x10, enabling more comprehensive diagnostic capabilities.
In-House Production: Breaking Down Barriers
Perhaps the most significant insight came when discussing barriers to chairside production. Yohan identified software complexity as the primary obstacle: "The software is still the main barrier for all in-house production. The majority of dentists don't want to learn exocad. They don't want to learn 3Shape."
Ray's solution? Leveraging AI to create intuitive interfaces requiring minimal clicks. Their 5D platform will soon support chairside surgical guide design (coming Q3), focusing on common indications like single units and implants.
Yohan also shared his observation that the market is trending toward more single-unit cases due to improvements in preventative dentistry: "Eventually, most of case will be the single. Preventative dentistry is getting better than before."
The Face Scanning Evolution
The conversation turned to Ray's pioneering face scanner, RayFace, which now faces significant competition from lower-priced alternatives. Rather than viewing this as a threat, Yohan's perspective proved refreshingly magnanimous:
"Even if you have the confidence, which we have higher quality and feature than the competitor, price gap crunch is too big."
His philosophy embraces the competition as a mechanism that expands total market penetration: "We have to convince the market why you need the face scan data in your clinic...But now we have some competitors who can convince the market together."
To remain competitive, Ray plans to reduce RayFace pricing while maintaining its premium positioning in the market.
Future Horizons
Looking forward, Yohan identified clear aligners as a rapidly growing segment that Ray is considering entering. He explained the appeal: "Clear aligner compared to other fields, we can make some standard production." This standardization presents a stark contrast to the highly customized nature of other dental laboratory work.
The podcast concluded with Yohan Kim's vision for dentistry's digital future—a complete integration between diagnostic systems (DICOM/CBCT) and restorative technologies (STL/CAD) into unified workflows. Ray's ecosystem aims to provide this complete journey from image acquisition to final output for common indications.
Their hardware solutions already include a chairside 3D printer and an innovative milling machine capable of processing fully sintered zirconia, eliminating the need for time-consuming sintering furnaces.
As digital dentistry continues its inexorable evolution, Ray's approach to technology integration offers a compelling glimpse into a more streamlined, efficient future for dental practitioners worldwide.
Want to learn more about Ray's 5D technology and other innovations shaping the future of digital dentistry? Subscribe to our Digital Dentistry Decoded podcast for in-depth conversations with industry leaders and technology pioneers.
Don't miss our upcoming coverage of IDS 2025, where we'll bring you first-hand insights on Ray's 5D solution and other groundbreaking technologies that are redefining dental practice. Join our community of forward-thinking dental professionals today!
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