exocad DentalCAD 3.3 Chemnitz: what changed and why it matters

exocad released DentalCAD 3.3 Chemnitz in January 2026. It's the successor to 3.2 Elefsina, and the biggest change is how AI is woven into the design workflow. If you're on exocad, here's what's new and whether it affects how you work.

The headline: multi-unit AI design

In DentalCAD 3.2 Elefsina, AI Crown Design handled one tooth at a time. One credit, one crown. In 3.3 Chemnitz, the same AI can now design up to 3 posterior crowns or bridge pontics in a single pass. That's a meaningful speed improvement for labs doing bridge work.

The AI still costs 1 credit per crown unit. A 3-unit bridge design uses 3 credits. But instead of running the AI three times and stitching results together, you run it once and get a coordinated multi-unit design.

The three AI features

Feature	Credits	What changed in 3.3
AI Crown Design	1 per unit	Now supports multi-unit (up to 3 posterior units in one pass)
TruSmile Photo	2	Patient photo + Smile Creator design = realistic preview image
TruSmile Video	10	Video input + scan + design = dynamic smile simulation

TruSmile Photo and Video were available in 3.2 Elefsina Feature Release. The 3.3 update refines them but the core functionality is the same. The multi-unit AI Crown Design is the real Chemnitz addition.

How credits work (quick version)

AI features run on a credit system:

• Flex license holders get 30 free credits per month (don't roll over)
• Perpetual license holders get 10 free credits per month (requires upgrade contract)
• Buy more from Dentcore: $1.10/credit (1-249), $1.05 (250-499), $1.00 (500+)
• Credits are shared across all licenses on the same my.exocad account

For a detailed breakdown of the credit system and pricing, see our exocad AI Credits guide.

What didn't change

The core DentalCAD design engine is the same. All your existing workflows, libraries, material databases, and custom parameters carry over from 3.2. Designs created in 3.2 open in 3.3 without conversion issues.

The UI is largely the same. If you know Elefsina, you know Chemnitz. The AI features are opt-in. You don't have to use them, and the software doesn't force them on you.

Requirements

• DentalCAD 3.3 Chemnitz license (or 3.2 Elefsina Feature Release, Build 9036+ for basic AI)
• my.exocad cloud integration activated
• Internet connection during AI processing (computation happens on exocad's servers)
• EU or US market only

Who benefits most

Labs doing high-volume single crowns

AI Crown Design gives you a first-pass design in seconds instead of minutes. The technician still reviews and adjusts, but the initial sculpting step is automated. At 20-30 crowns per day, that time savings adds up.

Labs doing bridge work

The multi-unit capability in 3.3 is a direct improvement. Instead of designing each pontic separately, the AI coordinates the design across up to 3 units. This produces better contact points and occlusal schemes on the first pass.

Practices that present to patients

TruSmile Photo and Video are patient communication tools. If case acceptance on cosmetic work is a bottleneck, showing a realistic smile preview before treatment starts can close the case. At 2 credits ($2.20) per photo, it's a low-cost investment per case.

What's coming next

exocad is expected to launch a Flex monthly subscription option around April 2026. Current Flex annual pricing is about $3,688/year ($307/month). A monthly option would lower the upfront commitment for practices and labs that want to test the exocad system before committing to an annual license.

For dental teams, the takeaway is simpler: more practices are moving onto exocad, and AI credits are part of that workflow. Dentcore stocks credits and can deliver within 24 hours of purchase.

Related Dentcore guides

• exocad Subscription Guide: DentalCAD Monthly Plans, Flex Licensing, and Setup
• exocad DentalCAD 3.3: What the New Tools Mean for Bundle Planning

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.