Aoralscan 3 vs Aoralscan Elite: picking the right intraoral scanner

Shining 3D makes two scanner families for chairside use. The Aoralscan 3 starts at $10,999 and covers general scanning. The Aoralscan Elite starts at $20,999 and adds coded scanbody support for automated implant identification. The price gap is real, but so is the capability difference.

Here's what separates them and who should buy which.

Side-by-side comparison

	Aoralscan 3 Wired	Aoralscan 3 Wireless	Aoralscan Elite Wired	Aoralscan Elite Wireless
Price	$10,999	$12,999	$20,999	$23,999
Coded scanbody support	No	No	Yes	Yes
Wireless	No	Yes	No	Yes

The Aoralscan 3: the general-purpose scanner

The Aoralscan 3 handles restorative scans, orthodontic impressions, and implant cases (with manual library selection). For a practice that does crowns, bridges, aligners, and the occasional implant case, it covers the bases without the $20K+ price tag.

The wired version at $10,999 is the lowest entry point into the Shining 3D scanning system. The wireless version at $12,999 removes the cable, which matters more than it sounds in a multi-operatory practice where the scanner moves between rooms.

What the Aoralscan 3 does not do: it cannot read coded scanbodies. If you scan a coded scanbody with an Aoralscan 3, it captures the shape, but the automatic implant identification won't work. You'll need to select the implant system manually in your CAD software.

The Aoralscan Elite: the implant scanner

The Aoralscan Elite has everything the Aoralscan 3 has, plus the optics and software to read coded scanbody patterns. When you scan a coded scanbody with the Elite, the scanner automatically identifies the implant brand, model, connection type, and angular position. That information exports directly to the CAD file.

The wired Elite is $20,999. The wireless Elite is $23,999. That's roughly double the Aoralscan 3.

The price premium buys you one thing: automated implant identification. Whether that's worth $10,000 depends on how many implant cases you do and how many different implant systems you work with.

Who should buy which

Get the Aoralscan 3 if:

• Your practice is primarily restorative (crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays)
• You do orthodontics and need digital impressions for aligners
• You place implants but use one system exclusively (manual library selection takes seconds when you always pick the same brand)
• Budget is the primary constraint

Get the Aoralscan Elite if:

• Your practice places multiple implant brands (Nobel, Straumann, Osstem, Megagen, etc.)
• You have multiple clinicians scanning, and you want to eliminate implant library selection errors
• You do full-arch implant cases where accurately identifying 4-6 implant positions is critical
• You're a lab that receives scans from multiple referring practices with different implant preferences

Wired vs. wireless

The $2,000 premium for wireless (on either model) buys cable-free scanning and easier room-to-room movement. For a single-operatory practice with a dedicated scanning station, wired is fine. For multi-operatory setups, wireless pays for itself in workflow efficiency.

Accessories

Accessory	Description	Price
Scan Tips (Standard/Mini/IPG)	Replacement scanning tips, three sizes	$50 each
AoStation	Scanner docking station with data management	$5,000
Aoralscan 3 Cart	Mobile cart (no computer included)	$600
1 Year Extended Warranty	Beyond standard warranty	$1,200
Aoralscan Training	Comprehensive scanner training	$1,200

Integration

Both scanner families export to all major CAD platforms (exocad, 3Shape, Medit Link) via standard STL and PLY files. If you're printing in-house on a Shining 3D AccuFab, the scan-to-print pipeline is native through AccuWare. If you're sending to an external lab, the scan files are compatible with whatever software they use.

Related Dentcore guides

• Shining 3D Aoralscan Elite Guide
• Shining 3D Aoralscan 3 Wired Guide
• Shining 3D MetiSmile MR Face Scanner Guide
• Digital dentistry equipment comparison library

For reference only. Specifications, pricing, and availability are as of the publication date and may change without notice. Dentcore is not responsible for discrepancies. Always verify with the manufacturer before purchasing.