Coded scanbodies: how Shining 3D automates implant identification

A coded scanbody has a pattern etched into its surface. When the scanner reads that pattern, it automatically identifies the implant system, the connection type, and the angular position. No manual input, no library lookup, no guessing.

Shining 3D builds this technology into their Aoralscan Elite scanners and sells the scanbody kits to match. Here's how the system works.

What a coded scanbody actually does

In a traditional implant workflow, the technician or clinician scans the scanbody, then manually selects the correct implant library in the CAD software. That means knowing the exact implant brand, model, diameter, and connection type. Get it wrong, and the restoration won't seat.

A coded scanbody skips that step. The surface encoding tells the scanner everything it needs to know. The scan file arrives in the CAD software with the implant already identified. For practices that place multiple implant brands, this removes a common source of error.

Two-piece design

Each coded scanbody has two parts:

• The base connects to the implant analog. It's durable and reusable.
• The cap sits on top and carries the coded pattern. It's the part that wears down over time from repeated scanning and sterilization.

You buy them as a set (base + cap), and when the cap wears out, you replace just the cap. The base lasts much longer.

A, B, C, D kits: implant compatibility

Shining 3D organizes their coded scanbodies into kits labeled A through D. Each kit covers a different group of implant brands.

Kit	Compatible implant systems
A Set	Nobel Biocare, Straumann, Neodent, Osstem, Megagen, BioHorizon, and dozens more. The broadest coverage kit.
B Set	Specific brand subset (check compatibility chart)
C Set	Specific brand subset (check compatibility chart)
D Set	Specific brand subset (check compatibility chart)

The A Set covers the most implant systems by far. If you place Nobel, Straumann, Osstem, or Megagen implants (which accounts for a large share of the North American market), the A Set is where you start.

The full compatibility chart is maintained on the Shining 3D support site. There are hundreds of specific implant models listed. Before buying, check that your implant system is covered.

Newer kits: E through L

Shining 3D has been expanding coverage with additional kits for implant brands not covered by A-D.

Kit	Brands covered
E	DIO
F	BEGO
G	B&B, IDI, Macross, MIS, MSDI, Nucleoss, Implantswiss, VP Innovato, Wego, XIVE, Zirkonzahn
H	Bredent
I	Alphabio, global D
J	SIC
K	Implant Direct, Ditron
L	Megagen

Specialty diameter variants

Model	Diameter	Brands
D43-A	4.3mm	A2 Implant, Ankylos
D35-A	3.5mm	Neodent, Bioner, Alphabio
D48M2-A	4.8mm M2	Neoss, Warantec, ML

Pricing

Product	Includes	Price
Scanbody Set (no tools)	Base + Cap	$2,000
Scanbody Set (with torque wrench)	Base + Cap + Torque Wrench + Screw Driver	$2,500
Replacement Cap	Cap only (consumable)	$500
Torque Wrench (standalone)	For scanbody installation	$200
Screw Driver 15mm (standalone)	For scanbody screws	$50

Pricing is the same across A, B, C, D, and E-L kits. The difference is which implant brands each kit covers, not the price.

The requirement: Aoralscan Elite

This is the most common question, so here it is in plain terms: coded scanbodies only work with the Aoralscan Elite (wired at $20,999 or wireless at $23,999). The standard Aoralscan 3 does not have the optics or software to read the coded pattern.

You can still use non-coded scanbodies with the Aoralscan 3 for implant scanning. You just won't get the automatic implant identification. You'll select the implant library manually in your CAD software, like you do with any other scanner.

When coded scanbodies pay for themselves

If you place one implant system exclusively, the manual library selection takes seconds and you don't need coded scanbodies. The value shows up when:

• Your practice places multiple implant brands
• You have multiple clinicians scanning, and you want to eliminate selection errors
• You're a lab receiving scans from multiple referring practices with different implant preferences
• You're doing full-arch implant cases where identifying 4-6 implant positions accurately matters

Related Dentcore guides

• Shining 3D Aoralscan Elite Guide
• Shining 3D Aoralscan 3 Wired Guide
• Aoralscan 3 vs Aoralscan Elite: picking the right intraoral scanner

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.