Redefining the Implant Workflow

As the demand for digital workflows continues to grow in implant dentistry, the new wireless Aoralscan Elite from Shining 3D arrives with a bold promise: simplify and elevate the full-arch scanning experience. Dr. Scott Ganz, a world-leading implant specialist and one of the first surgical prosthodontists to place implants in the country, calls the device a true game changer.

“Precision is critical in full-arch implant reconstruction, and I believe that conventional intraoral scanning is not accurate enough to accomplish the task, as it compromises passive fi t for 3D-printed PMMAs or milled zirconia restorations," Dr. Ganz. said "So, when Shining 3D created an intraoral scanner that could accurately record the position of the implants in the mouth with a single device, it was pretty intriguing."

Two Devices in One

For clinicians accustomed to juggling multiple devices to capture both an intraoral scan and implant positions, the Aoralscan Elite Wireless—thanks to its integrated intraoral photogrammetry (IPG) technology—is a welcome addition to the implant armamentarium.

“If you’re using conventional extraoral photogrammetry, you have to also use an intraoral scanner to capture the tissue and the bite, which means you have 2 sets of files that are going to the lab. That could introduce potential errors,” explained Dr. Ganz. “With Aoralscan Elite Wireless, you save steps and potential headaches if you have one scanner and one set of merged and aligned files."

The Next Step Forward

The cost of extraoral photogrammetry systems can be prohibitive, with some reaching $40,000.

“From a cost perspective, most doctors have not been exposed to this technology," Dr. Ganz said. “But having used IPG over the past year has convinced me that IPG saves time, increases accuracy, and provides confidence. This is certainly the next step forward."

The Aoralscan Elite Wireless also plays a key role in achieving a fully digital workflow—something many clinicians strive for but rarely reach. “With photo-grammetry, it's possible," Dr. Ganz said, "You can achieve a 100% digital workflow if you want to."