This has been an incredibly busy year for digital dentistry—as busy as I can remember, rivaling IDS 2019.
In the past six months, we have seen releases from Medit, iTero, 3Shape, Dentsply Sirona, Asiga, Formlabs, Sprintray, and Ackuretta, and now SHINING 3D joins the party.
SHINING 3D just unveiled its latest innovation and flagship intraoral scanner - the Aoralscan Elite.
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This intraoral scanner is a massive upgrade over the previous generation Aoralscan 3 and seems to be the go-to SHINING 3D scanner now.
It is smaller and lighter and comes with an intraoral photogrammetry kit - a first of its kind in digital dentistry. This is a true innovation, and the company just pioneered a new workflow. Exciting stuff.
This company seems poised to make waves in the market, especially for implant specialists and those focusing on full-arch rehabilitation cases.
At iDD, we've always been at the forefront of digital dentistry advancements, and now I can finally share what we know about this upcoming release. I was lucky to get pre-release access to the scanner to test in the clinic.
Let's go over some of the details you need to know! Watch iDD's exclusive unboxing video below or continue reading to find out more.
SHINING 3D Aoralscan Elite and Implant Scanning
The Aoralscan Elite is not just another IOS - it's a dedicated solution for full arch implant scanning.
SHINING 3D has listened to the challenges faced by implantologists and aims to address common issues such as:
- Unstable soft tissue
- Insufficient scan body data details
- Poor scan body matching accuracy
- Inaccuracies with full arch scans
This focus on implant scanning extends to All-on-X immediate loading cases, suggesting the Aoralscan Elite could be a game-changer for complex full-arch rehabilitations.
As digital implantology enthusiasts ourselves, we're particularly intrigued by this focus, as we know the struggle with these issues in your implant workflows.
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SHINING 3D Intraoral Photogrammetry
One of the most intriguing features of the Aoralscan Elite is its incorporation of intraoral photogrammetry (IPG) and a coded scan-body kit that comes included with every scanner. Yes, to cut to the chase, this scanner costs $20k USD, and you essentially get a photogrammetry solution with it for free.
This coded scan body system works via a new software workflow within the SHINING 3D software. The coded scan bodies are placed on each MUA on each implant and then confirmed with an OPG for seating.
Then, via the 3 software steps, you scan the edentulous ridge, scan the scan bodies (the photogrammetry part kicks in here as the scanner is scanning only the dots and their relative position to each other), and scan the scan body itself and ridge to align this all together.
The company claims that this two-in-one system has an impressive 5µm precision, potentially setting a new standard for full-arch implant accuracy in the IOS market.
These coded scanbodies are autoclavable up to 300 times.
This was a totally unexpected innovation from this company, which only four years ago was completely ignored in the market and seen as a totally inferior product.
Now, they seem to be providing solutions that no other company has come up with.
Watch the step-by-step guide on setting up the software, scanning implants, and aligning scans using high-accuracy coded scan bodies for Aoralscan Elite.
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What Implant Systems are Supported by SHINING 3D Aoralscan Elite?
The implant systems supported at launch are separated into four different connection types:
HACS - A: Nobel Biocare, Osstem Implant, MegaGen (Multi Unit Abutment N-TYPE), Adin, Trausim, Bioconcept, Neoss, Cortex, Galimplant (Multi-position pillar), Neo Biotech, MIS, Ticare, Camlog, Hiossen Implant, WEGO, Bio Horizons, ZimVie, Neodent, JDentalCare, Dentis Implant, Ditron Dental, AB, Implant Direct, BTK, Vitronex Elite Implant, XiVE
HACS - B: MegaGen (Multi Unit Abutment S-TYPE)
HACS - C: Dentium, Galimplant (Aesthetic Multi-position)
HACS - D: Straumann
If your system isn't listed enquire with your dealer as they mentioned on the launch webinar some brands that are coming soon.
Ergonomics and Design of SHINING 3D’s Aoralscan Elite
OK, so implant scanning aside, this is also a big upgrade in terms of ergonomics and design compared to the previous generation Aoralscan 3.
The SHINING 3D Elite weighs only 124g, easily making it the lightest scanner on the market recently.
This, combined with its small size and metallic body, makes it a major upgrade over the previous generation of SHINING 3D scanners.
Now, I have to note that it is also a simple USB connection. It doesn’t have the same power cable adapters that we usually get with SHINING 3D’s IOS predecessors, which I often complained about in reviews.
The scanner also comes with 6 scanner tips in 3 different sizes - small, medium, and big (IPG). All can be autoclaved up to 100 times.
The largest tip measures 19mm x 14mm, which is large. This seems to be a trend with scanners now: large scanning tips. From experience, this helps tremendously with scanning edentulous patients, especially, and fits into the scanner's focus on full arch implants.
You can watch what I think are the Elite's top 5 features in the video below:
Edentulous Scanning with SHINING 3D Aoralscan Elite
One standout feature of the Aoralscan Elite is its improved capability for edentulous scanning, especially compared to the Aoralscan 3, which was not very good at that at all.
This is crucial for implant cases and full-arch rehabilitations, where capturing accurate soft tissue information can be challenging.
The main reason it performs so much better is the larger tip and scanning field of view. This trend is being seen across the entire market, from the i900 to the iTero Lumina and now SHINING 3D Elite.
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SHINING 3D Aoralscan Elite’s Pricing
SHINING 3D is positioning the Aoralscan Elite in the premium scanner segment, but with competitive recommended retail pricing (RRP) when you consider you get the scan body kit for free:
- IOS Price: Under $20,000 USD
- Additional Coded Scanbody Kits: Under $2,500 USD
This pricing puts the Aoralscan Elite in an interesting position. It's not the cheapest option in the market, but it's also not the most expensive. This price makes it cheaper than all other flagships on the market right now, like TRIOS 5, Medit i900, Primescan 2, and iTero Lumina.
So, if SHINING 3D can pull off this coded scan-body kit, it’s essentially like being able to buy a scanner and a photogrammetry device all in one.
Pretty impressive, right?
iDD's Take
I was lucky enough to have early access to this new IOS and have been testing it in the clinic since August. Let me tell you, the specifications and features are epic.
The focus on implant scanning, a high-precision scan-body kit, and ergonomic design are likely to make the Elite stand out in an overly busy IOS market.
Scanning is done and dusted. Almost every scanner on the market now is ‘fast.’ What is fascinating is watching all the different companies compete and offer different solutions.
This is totally unique and innovative, and it works. Full-arch implant scanning has never been easier with an all-in-one solution by one company.
It will be really interesting to see how other companies react to this, whether this will be the next market trend for all scanners, and what the response will be from the extraoral photogrammetry giants like PIC and metric icam4D.
Stay tuned for an iDD full review of the SHINING 3D Elite.
What are your thoughts on the Aoralscan Elite? Are you excited about its implant-focused features?
Let us know in the comments below!
With the increase in cost, may as well go with more recognizable brand name IOS.
Their market proposition is the intraoral photogrammetry which no other scanner on the market does. Even the recognized brands.
I aquired an Aoralscan 3 W a short time ago, I wander if it can be updated with new software and or accesories if needed. Otherwise I feel very dissapointed in having a two months old scanner obsolete.
No, different tech in the Elite to be able to scan the scan bodies – notably a large head made for this purpose.
If you got the wireless Aoralscan 3, it is not exactly obsolete. It is still a solid scanner that can do everything the elite can except this all on x workflow.
You can always ask for a trade up too.
Healed ridge with 4 implants not a big deal. Would be good to see how it performs on day of surgery with 6 implants including pterygoids . If it can do that , then it will be a game changer.
Agreed if they pull this off… amazing.
Although a healed ridge with 4 implants is no slouch either, this still requires some from of verfication jig / photogrammetry for passive fit.
So either way, I am happy to see this innovation.
How does it behave at classic scans??? Bridges, inlay, onlay, veneers, etc. I would like to buy one but I do not have the opportunity to live test it. My suppliers tell me that it is better than 3shape 4 but under 3shape 5. What is your opinion ????
Yes it works well for all indcations. I have been using it for some time and its just like all top scanners – can be used for everything.
What your supplier said is actually pretty good haha! I would say yes, TRIOS 5 is still in my eyes is top, but the Elite is very good too.
Typically photogrammetry is at least 2 camera, how do they get off saying that it’s photogrammetry? How does it compare with icam, micromapper or pic?
Photogrammetry algorithms rather than true photogrammetry. Very smart AI and scan body stitching based on dots.