AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST19 PRODUCT REVIEW Shining 3D (Aoralscan Series) Shining 3D’s Aoralscan lineup is an increasingly popular value contender. Ergonomics are good, scanning speed is decent, and the software is intuitive and familiar if you’ve used Medit. Higherend models include shade detection and improved AI processing. The ecosystem isn’t as mature as Trios or PrimeScan, but Shining 3D remains an affordable and capable option. Panda Scanner – slim, lightweight, but ergonomically less stables The Panda scanner has become increasingly popular as an affordable entry-level option, and after using it clinically, I would say it offers good value for its price, even though it doesn’t compete with premium systems like Trios, PrimeScan, or the higher-end Medit range. Its recent software update has significantly improved raw scanning speed, with the Panda Smart version now scanning surprisingly quickly – often faster than other scanners in the same price category. Full-arch scans are captured efficiently with relatively smooth stitching, and accuracy is better than expected at this price bracket. It reportedly achieves around 7 μm precision, which is more than adequate for everyday restorative work, and many labs rate its data quality highly for crowns, bridges, and even implant scans. In my own hands, accuracy has generally been clinically acceptable, especially when soft tissue control is good. Ergonomically, Panda still has limitations. The handpiece is very thin, and because I’m used to slightly thicker scanners like Trios or the Allied Star Sensa, I find it a little less stable to hold over longer scans. The tip also has sharper edges, which can be uncomfortable for patients, particularly those with smaller mouths. The colour rendering is another drawback – shades appear more muted or slightly off compared with Trios, Allied Star, and Medit. It’s functional, but not as natural or useful for patient communication. Overall, Panda offers strong value, fast scanning for its price range, and good day-to-day accuracy, making it suitable as an entry-level or secondary scanner, though it still doesn’t match higher-tier systems in ergonomics, colour realism, or overall refinement. Carestream – A DEXIS white label with limitations I trialed a Carestream scanner at a recent course. It’s effectively a DEXIS white-label device. I found it clunky, slow, and much less intuitive. The wireless version felt laggy, and it required maintaining a fixed scanning distance – unlike Trios or Medit, which allow far more flexibility. While it has open-system compatibility and passable colour capture, it falls behind in speed, ergonomics, and workflow fluidity. Lab-supported scanner programs A growing number of labs now offer scanner-plus-lab bundled programs to help clinicians adopt digital workflows without heavy upfront investment. These models often provide access to scanners such as Panda, Allied Star, or Shining 3D at reduced initial cost, with expenses spread through lab usage or subscription-style arrangements. For many smaller or newer clinics, this significantly lowers the barrier to entering the digital space. This is actually how I first had the opportunity to trial both the Allied Star Sensa and the Panda scanners – through the MAG Dental lab program, which provides clinicians with access to scanners under a low-upfrontcost model as part of their digital workflow support. iTero – Fast, Accurate, Improved Ergonomics, and Strong Invisalign Integration (But With Ongoing Costs) My experience with the iTero scanner comes from the patient’s perspective – I had Invisalign around 2020, and the practice used an older-generation iTero model at the time. Even back then, I remember being impressed by how fast and accurate the scanner was. The only real drawback for me was the size of the wand tip: the older iTero models had quite a bulky scanning head, which made the process feel a little uncomfortable, especially when accessing posterior regions. Since then, iTero has released newergeneration scanners, including the most recent iTero Lumina, which has undergone a significant ergonomic redesign. Align reports that the Lumina wand is now approximately 50% smaller and 45% lighter than the previous iTero Element 5D, with a thinner wand tip specifically aimed at improving access and patient comfort. It also features a 3× larger field of view and increased capture distance, which helps with faster, smoother scanning – even in areas with limited space. Independent reviewers do note, however, that despite the smaller wand, the scanner head itself remains relatively wide, so while ergonomics have improved, clinicians may still need to be mindful of access when working around distal molars or patients with restricted opening. One of iTero’s biggest strengths remains its direct digital integration with Invisalign. For clinics with a heavy Invisalign focus, this seamless workflow is often the primary reason to invest in iTero over other opensystem scanners. That said, it’s important to also acknowledge the ongoing cost structure. Unlike some scanners that operate on a one-off purchase model, the iTero ecosystem involves: X annual subscription/licensing fees, X service/support contracts, and X cloud storage or workflow fees depending on the model. For many clinics, especially smaller or newer practices, these recurring costs can add up and are worth factoring into longterm budgeting. Overall, iTero remains a strong contender for Invisalign-focused practices, offering excellent accuracy, improved ergonomics in the newer models, and still one of the smoothest aligner-specific digital workflows available – but with a subscription model that needs to be considered. Final thoughts Every scanner has a place depending on the practice. The Trios 3 remains my personal favorite because it’s stable, comfortable, and one of the few that still integrates with Invisalign. PrimeScan is unbeatable if you run CEREC. Allied Star offers exceptional value. Medit continues to evolve rapidly. Shining 3D and Panda are strong budget contenders. Carestream works but feels outdated. Ultimately, the best scanner is one that fits your workflow, hand size, and patient needs – not just your budget. X
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