Intraoral scanner comparison

Decision summary

This comparison is for dental practices shortlisting an intraoral scanner for restorative, orthodontic, implant, lab-send, or chairside CAD/CAM workflows. It does not name a universal “best scanner” because the right choice depends on your existing software, preferred lab, Invisalign or aligner workflow, support channel, training needs, export requirements, and the real regional offer you receive.

The seven systems below are included because they appear in the approved Phase 3 intraoral scanner cluster and have enough official source material to support a sample buying page. Manufacturer claims are treated as claims from the manufacturer, not as Dental Spec Guide testing.

Scanner comparison table

1. Medit i900

   Best-fit label

   Light wired scanner for open digital workflows.

   Sourced specifications and features

   Medit i900 is the strongest fit in this shortlist for practices that want a lightweight wired scanner and a software workflow that can export common dental mesh formats. Medit lists the i900 at 165 g including the medium tip in its scanner specifications, and the official i900 product page describes a 35 mm grip, expanded field of view, a third-generation optical engine, 10-bit imaging, touch controls, multiple tip sizes, and tip autoclavability up to 150 cycles.

   Key sourced details

   • The i900 is therefore easiest to understand as an ergonomics-and-workflow upgrade over older wired scanners rather than as a closed restorative ecosystem.

   Workflow / procurement checks

   • Medit also says calibration intervals can extend up to 90 days, but that should be verified against local support instructions and software version at purchase time.

   Workflow and openness notes

   Medit Link is the important workflow layer. Medit support documentation says scan data can be exported as STL, PLY, or OBJ through the Medit Link file viewer, while direct export from Medit Scan for Clinics is not supported in that guide.

   Workflow / procurement checks

   • That distinction matters for a buyer: "open" should mean your staff can complete the actual workflow you need with your preferred lab, CAD software, storage policy, and patient-communication process, not merely that a format is listed.
   • Practices should demo the export path, color/texture transfer, case naming, lab upload, and remake workflow before assuming the i900 will behave like their current scanner or lab portal.

   Independent i900 reviews from digital-dentistry sources can help frame market context, but any speed or comfort observations from those sources should be attributed to those reviewers rather than presented as Dental Spec Guide testing.

   Price visibility

   Official pricing is quote-led. Independent US market reporting has cited scanner-only and scanner-with-laptop figures, but those are not official global prices and should be treated as market context only.

   Verify before purchase

   Confirm bundle contents, laptop specification, warranty, training, software subscription position, tip cost, export workflow, and local service response.

2. iTero Lumina

   Best-fit label

   Align-oriented restorative and orthodontic ecosystem.

   Sourced specifications and features

   iTero Lumina is most relevant for practices that already think in Align Technology workflows: Invisalign, restorative scanning, patient visualization, oral-health assessment tools, and iTero lab/restorative processes. Align presents Lumina as an intraoral scanner for restorative and orthodontic use cases, with multi-modality oral-health assessment features, intraoral camera imagery, and NIRI-enabled caries-detection aid features in relevant configurations.

   Key sourced details

   • For a buyer, the practical value is not simply whether Lumina has many imaging modes.

   Workflow / procurement checks

   • It is whether those modes are included in the quoted configuration, enabled in the buyer's market, and useful in daily communication with patients, labs, and aligner workflows.

   The official page also claims faster scans, a smaller wand, and a larger field of capture than the prior iTero Element 5D system; Dental Spec Guide treats those as manufacturer claims, not measured results.

   Workflow and openness notes

   Lumina's strongest argument is ecosystem fit. If a practice depends heavily on Invisalign case submission, Align tools, and iTero restorative or patient-education workflows, Lumina may reduce friction compared with a scanner that is technically open but operationally disconnected from the practice's core workflows.

   Workflow / procurement checks

   • The tradeoff is that buyers should inspect export, lab-choice, and subscription constraints very closely.
   • Ask whether STL/export workflows are available for each use case, whether NIRI or oral-health assessment features are active in the country, whether any features require additional licenses, and how cases move from the scanner into the PMS, lab, aligner, or restorative system.

   This page does not evaluate diagnostic accuracy or clinical outcomes; it treats imaging and visualization features as procurement considerations that must be verified with local regulatory and clinical advisors.

   Price visibility

   Quote-led. No official globally comparable public price is attached to this page.

   Verify before purchase

   Confirm whether NIRI is included, which features are cleared in your region, export limits, subscription terms, training, support, and local service coverage.

3. 3Shape TRIOS 5

   Best-fit label

   Mature wireless TRIOS system.

   Sourced specifications and features

   3Shape TRIOS 5 is the mature wireless TRIOS choice in this comparison. 3Shape's official page describes a scanner package with scanner wand, pod, tips, 3Shape Unite, patient engagement apps, TRIOS Share, and Model Builder Express.

   Key sourced details

   • It also lists three batteries, up to 66 minutes of continuous scanning per battery, under two hours for full charging, and 5 GHz wireless range up to 15 m.
   • That gives the buyer a clearer operational picture than a generic "wireless scanner" claim: the practice needs battery management, charging workflow, pod placement, Wi-Fi conditions, and hygiene procedures to work reliably across real operator schedules.

   Workflow / procurement checks

   • The official page also emphasizes ergonomics, scanning guidance, and hygiene design, but buyer evaluation should still include a demo with the clinicians and assistants who will use the device every day.

   Workflow and openness notes

   TRIOS 5 should be evaluated inside the wider 3Shape ecosystem. 3Shape Unite, lab connections, TRIOS Share, patient engagement, Model Builder Express, optional MOVE+ hardware, and software subscription terms can all influence total ownership cost.

   Workflow / procurement checks

   • For a clinic that already collaborates with 3Shape-enabled labs or plans to standardize on the 3Shape environment, TRIOS 5 may be easier to justify than a cheaper scanner with a weaker local support or lab workflow.
   • Conversely, a buyer focused mainly on low-cost digital impressions should confirm whether the subscription, service plan, computer/cart hardware, and lab connection terms make sense compared with TRIOS Core or an open wired alternative.

   Dental Spec Guide does not assign a rating; it recommends asking suppliers for a written breakdown of scanner, batteries, tips, software, support, training, and replacement policy.

   Price visibility

   The project has dated EUR observations for Spain, but prices vary by dealer, package, support plan, and region.

   Verify before purchase

   Confirm subscription terms, computer or MOVE+ inclusion, battery replacement policy, service plan, lab support, and whether your workflows require optional modules.

4. 3Shape TRIOS 6

   Best-fit label

   Newest 3Shape platform direction.

   Sourced specifications and features

   3Shape TRIOS 6 is the forward-looking 3Shape option in this shortlist. The official TRIOS 6 page describes hyperspectral technology that combines near-infrared, blue, and white light, and it highlights software-driven features including AI-assisted diagnostics positioning and a stated scan-resolution improvement over TRIOS 5.

   Key sourced details

   • Those points make TRIOS 6 appealing to practices that want the newest scanner platform and are comfortable validating feature availability, regulatory status, and software requirements carefully.

   Workflow / procurement checks

   • Buyers should ask exactly which imaging modes are active in their market and what the supplier is allowed to claim locally.

   Because imaging and diagnostic-assist language can carry higher clinical and regulatory risk, Dental Spec Guide treats TRIOS 6 coverage as procurement-only: this page does not evaluate caries detection, diagnosis, treatment decisions, or clinical outcomes.

   Workflow and openness notes

   The practical buying question is whether the newer TRIOS 6 capabilities solve a real clinic problem or simply add complexity and cost. If the practice already has TRIOS users, 3Shape Unite workflows, 3Shape-compatible labs, and a budget for a flagship system, TRIOS 6 may deserve a demo ahead of TRIOS 5.

   Workflow / procurement checks

   • If the practice mainly needs routine digital impressions and lab sending, the newer imaging claims should not overshadow basics such as scanner handling, software subscription, training load, lab compatibility, service response, and replacement terms.
   • Ask for a quote that separates hardware, software modules, service, training, support, and any imaging/AI features.

   Also ask for written regional documentation on clearance/availability for any diagnostic-assist feature before relying on it in patient communication or procurement justification.

   Price visibility

   Quote-led in the current dataset; no global comparable price was verified.

   Verify before purchase

   Confirm regional clearance, package contents, software cost, AI/imaging feature availability, service plan, and upgrade path from older TRIOS systems.

5. Dentsply Sirona Primescan 2

   Best-fit label

   Cloud-managed CEREC and Dentsply Sirona workflow.

   Sourced specifications and features

   Dentsply Sirona positions Primescan 2 as a wireless, cloud-managed scanner tied to the company's connected digital dentistry ecosystem. The official page describes cloud-based scan management, use from an internet-connected device, support for open data formats, and workflow connections to CAD/CAM, CEREC, Primemill, and Primeprint.

   Key sourced details

   • That makes Primescan 2 less of a standalone wand decision and more of an ecosystem decision: the buyer should evaluate scanner, software, milling, printing, restoration design, cloud account requirements, and local support as one procurement path.
   • For a practice already invested in CEREC or planning same-day restorative workflows, the attraction is operational continuity.

   Workflow / procurement checks

   • For a practice that simply wants low-friction lab sending, the same ecosystem could add cost or complexity if the downstream tools are not part of the roadmap.

   Workflow and openness notes

   The cloud workflow is both a benefit and a verification point. Buyers should ask what happens during internet downtime, which devices can access scans, how user permissions and accounts are managed, whether any cloud storage or software renewals apply, and how files move to labs or third-party CAD tools.

   Workflow / procurement checks

   • The official page mentions open data formats, but the practical test is whether the exact case types your practice sends can be exported or shared without unexpected fees or restrictions.
   • Also verify whether Primescan 2 is quoted with CEREC software, milling/printing integrations, installation, onboarding, data-security documentation, and regional support.

   Dental Spec Guide does not claim Primescan 2 is clinically superior; it frames the scanner as a potentially strong fit when Dentsply Sirona's broader CAD/CAM and cloud ecosystem is part of the purchase strategy.

   Price visibility

   Quote-led. No comparable public EUR price was verified for this page.

   Verify before purchase

   Confirm cloud requirements, internet downtime plan, export formats, CEREC software costs, restoration workflow costs, installation, privacy/security documentation, and regional support.

6. Medit i600

   Best-fit label

   Lower-cost Medit-family entry point.

   Sourced specifications and features

   Medit i600 is the lower-cost Medit-family option in this comparison and is most relevant for practices that want the Medit software/export environment but do not need the newest i900 hardware.

   Key sourced details

   • Medit's official i600 page lists 245 g weight, 35 FPS scanning, plug-and-scan setup, a reversible tip, a scan button, and a high-precision figure stated as 10.9 microns +/- 0.98.
   • The Medit scanner specification page also lists i600 at 245 g.
   • Compared with i900, the procurement tradeoff is straightforward: i600 may reduce entry cost, but buyers should confirm whether its ergonomics, scan speed, tip workflow, and support package still meet the practice's daily workload.

   Workflow / procurement checks

   • For a first scanner, the lower hardware tier can be attractive if the practice is mainly digitizing impressions and learning digital workflows.

   Workflow and openness notes

   Like i900, the i600's openness should be checked in Medit Link rather than assumed from a sales headline. Medit support documentation says scan data can be exported as STL, PLY, or OBJ through the Medit Link file viewer, while direct export from Medit Scan for Clinics is not supported in that guide.

   Workflow / procurement checks

   • That should be demoed with the buyer's preferred lab and any third-party CAD software.
   • Ask whether the quoted setup includes a compatible laptop, scanner tips, Medit software access, onboarding, support, and training.
   • Also ask whether an i600 purchase limits any future feature path compared with i700/i900-family hardware.

   Dental Spec Guide has not tested scan speed, fit, or accuracy; the page treats manufacturer specifications as source-backed procurement data that must be verified in demo conditions.

   Price visibility

   Quote-led in the official source set. Independent pricing may exist, but no dated EUR observation is attached to this page.

   Verify before purchase

   Confirm software, support, tips, laptop, warranty, export workflow, training, and whether the lower entry price creates hardware or software tradeoffs.

7. 3Shape TRIOS Core

   Best-fit label

   3Shape send-to-lab starter option.

   Sourced specifications and features

   3Shape TRIOS Core is the lower-entry TRIOS option and is positioned around digital impressions and send-to-lab workflows rather than the full flagship feature set. 3Shape's US page describes a wired scanner for accurate digital impressions, realistic colors, AI-powered scanning, and lab sending.

   Key sourced details

   • The product is useful in this comparison because it forces buyers to separate brand ecosystem from feature level: a practice may want 3Shape lab connectivity and familiar Unite workflows without paying for a wireless flagship scanner.

   It also displays a public starting price from $12,400 excluding tax and shipping and a monthly financing figure, but those terms are country-dependent and should not be treated as a global price.

   Workflow and openness notes

   The key question for TRIOS Core is whether "core" matches the practice's roadmap. If the buyer mostly needs digital impressions, realistic color scans, and lab communication, TRIOS Core may be a sensible entry point.

   Workflow / procurement checks

   • If the roadmap includes advanced patient engagement, chairside design, wireless scanning, or future same-day restorative workflows, buyers should ask what is excluded, what can be upgraded, and whether a lower initial price creates later migration friction.
   • The public US price is helpful, but the quote should still separate scanner hardware, required software, support, training, taxes, shipping, financing, and any upgrade path.
   • Confirm that preferred labs support the intended TRIOS Core workflow and that the scanner's wired setup fits operatory layout.

   Dental Spec Guide does not rate TRIOS Core; it treats it as a lower-entry procurement option inside a well-known scanner ecosystem.

   Price visibility

   3Shape's US page shows a starting price from $12,400 excluding tax and shipping, with country-dependent terms.

   Verify before purchase

   Confirm regional price, financing terms, included software, lab connection workflow, upgrade path, support, and whether Core limits future chairside ambitions.

Workflow fit matters more than spec-sheet sorting

For a real practice purchase, the first question is not “which scanner has the longest feature list?” It is “which scanner makes our actual restorative, orthodontic, implant, lab, and patient-communication workflow less painful?”

If your practice already depends on Invisalign and Align Technology, iTero Lumina may deserve early evaluation because its official positioning is tied directly to Align workflows, restorative scanning, oral-health assessment visuals, and NIRI-enabled configurations. The caveat is that many of those advantages are ecosystem advantages. You should verify what is available in your country and whether the quoted configuration includes the imaging features you expect.

If you want an open scanner workflow with Medit software, Medit i900 and i600 deserve attention. Medit’s export documentation confirms STL, PLY, and OBJ export through Medit Link’s file viewer. That supports third-party CAD/lab workflows, although the same guide also says direct export from Medit Scan for Clinics is not supported. For buyers, that means “open” should be checked at the workflow level: export path, file format, lab acceptance, CAD software import, and any practical clicks or limitations.

If your practice is 3Shape-centered, TRIOS 5, TRIOS 6, and TRIOS Core sit in different buying positions. TRIOS 5 is the mature wireless option with published battery and package details. TRIOS 6 is the newest, more advanced platform direction with hyperspectral and AI-assist claims that require careful regional review. TRIOS Core is the lower-entry, wired send-to-lab option with a visible US starting price, but it may not be the right choice if your roadmap includes chairside milling or advanced workflows.

Primescan 2 is best viewed as a gateway into the Dentsply Sirona digital dentistry stack. The official page emphasizes cloud-managed scanning, open data formats, and connections to CAD/CAM, CEREC, Primemill, and Primeprint. If your plan includes same-day dentistry, milling, printing, or a Dentsply Sirona equipment ecosystem, the scanner quote should be evaluated with those downstream purchases and subscriptions in mind.

Price visibility and openness

Scanner pricing is frustratingly regional. Some manufacturers publish only quote-led pricing, some publish country-specific “from” prices, and some offers bundle a laptop, cart, service plan, software, tips, training, financing, or trade-in discounts. A clean comparison therefore needs two layers:

1. a sourced public price observation, when available; and
2. a quote checklist that makes supplier offers comparable.

For this sample, TRIOS Core has the clearest official public entry-price signal because 3Shape’s US page lists a starting price excluding tax and shipping. TRIOS 5 and TRIOS 6 have dated EUR observations elsewhere in the project dataset. Medit i900 has useful independent US price reporting from Institute of Digital Dentistry, but Medit’s official page remains quote-led, so that figure should be treated as market context rather than a global official price.

Openness also needs precise language. “Open” should not be reduced to a badge on a sales page. Ask whether the scanner can export STL, PLY, and OBJ; whether color texture is preserved when needed; whether the export happens directly or through a portal; whether your preferred lab accepts the files; and whether any cloud, storage, or software account requirement could affect daily work.

Questions to verify before purchase

Before demoing any scanner, send the supplier a written checklist. The answers should be attached to the quote so you are comparing real offers, not brochure impressions.

• What exact scanner, tips, cart or pod, laptop, batteries, chargers, sleeves, and accessories are included?
• Which software modules are included on day one, and which require subscription or add-on purchase?
• Which export formats are supported, and where in the workflow does export happen?
• Are your preferred labs already using the scanner workflow?
• What training is included for dentists, assistants, and lab communication?
• What is the warranty period, turnaround time for repair, and loaner policy?
• What are the costs of scanner tips, sleeves, calibration tools, batteries, cloud storage, and annual support?
• Which imaging or AI-assisted features are cleared, enabled, or restricted in your market?
• Are prices tax-inclusive, shipping-inclusive, and installation-inclusive?

Official links

Medit i900 official page iTero Lumina official page TRIOS 5 official page Primescan 2 official page

Evidence limits

Dental Spec Guide did not perform scanner testing for this page. All product claims are sourced from manufacturer pages, manufacturer support documentation, or clearly attributed independent reporting. Regional warranty, support, training, software subscriptions, regulatory clearance, and final pricing must be verified with suppliers before purchase.