Wired vs. Wireless Intraoral Scanners: What to Choose?

Entering the digital era, many dental clinics are transitioning from traditional impressions to intraoral scanners. When investing in intraoral scanners for your dental clinic, multiple factors need consideration, especially when facing the choice between wireless and wired scanner models.

Wireless intraoral scanners, with their portability and operational flexibility, are suitable for multi-operatory or mobile dental scenarios. Wired devices, on the other hand, typically offer stable data transmission and are lighter in weight.

Today’s blog will explore the advantages and limitations of both types of intraoral scanners to help you make the right choice.

Wired Intraoral Scanners: Pros and Limits

Wired intraoral scanners connect to a computer or workstation via a data cable, transmitting scan data to the software in real-time for processing, which is a common form of traditional intraoral scanning technology.

1. Pros

• · Stable Data Transmission: Wired connections avoid signal interference and latency issues, ensuring real-time and smooth transfer of scan data to the computer, and reducing the risk of image loss or lag. This is particularly important for high-precision applications, such as implants or orthodontics.
• · No Need to Worry About Batteries: Due to the wired design, they can be powered directly without the need for charging or battery replacement, allowing for continuous operation. In high-intensity clinical scenarios, this prevents interruptions caused by untimely charging.
• · Relatively Lighter: Without the need for battery and wireless modules, wired scanners are generally lighter in weight, reducing hand fatigue for doctors during prolonged use.

2. Limits

• · Limited Mobility: Due to the limited length of the cable, the operational range of wired intraoral scanners is restricted around the computer. This can be inconvenient when handling cases that require frequent position adjustments or when moving between treatment rooms.
• · Cable Management Issues: In treatment rooms equipped with multiple devices, data cables may become tangled. Repeated bending can lead to cable aging, poor contact, or even the need for replacement. Plus, the dragging of cables may also interfere with operations, requiring extra organization.
• · Impacts Patient Comfort: During the scanning process, the cable may drag across the patient’s neck, arm, shoulder, or chest, potentially affecting their overall treatment experience.

Wireless Intraoral Scanners: Pros and Limits

Wireless intraoral scanners connect to computers or workstations via Wi-Fi, transmitting scan data wirelessly in real-time to processing software without the need for cables, offering greater freedom and flexibility in operation.

1. Pros

• · Greater Operational Freedom: With wireless intraoral scanners, dentists can move freely within the clinic without cable restrictions. When switching between treatment rooms or working off-site, the intraoral scanner only needs to be moved between multiple cradles in different treatment areas, ensuring a seamless workflow.
• · Reduces Chairside Clutter: The wireless design eliminates cable tangling, creating a cleaner clinic environment and reducing the risk of equipment collisions.
• · Enhances Patient Comfort: Without external cables touching the patient’s face, neck, or other body parts, the experience becomes more comfortable and relaxing.
• · Adaptable to Future Developments: Wireless scanning technology represents the future of digital devices. With the adoption of next-gen technologies like Wi-Fi 6, wireless intraoral scanners can better accommodate future upgrades and function expansions.
• · No Cable Wear and Tear: Wireless scanning completely avoids issues like cable aging and breakage, maintaining a sleek appearance while simplifying maintenance.
• · Wide Compatibility: They can seamlessly integrate with various devices and operating systems. This adaptability ensures good performance across different clinical environments, minimizing operational disruptions.

2. Limits

• · Potential Signal Interference: Wireless signals may be affected by nearby electronic devices, such as medical equipment or mobile phones, especially in environments with weak signals or high device density. Thus, when considering wireless devices, it is advisable to opt for models equipped with the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology, which offers significant improvements in signal stability and transmission speed.
• · Relatively Higher Price: Due to their advanced technology and higher R&D costs, wireless scanners are generally more expensive than their wired counterparts.
• · Setup Steps: Wireless intraoral scanners may require additional setup steps when used in different treatment rooms or off-site, such as connecting to networks or pairing devices. Additionally, battery level should be monitored during off-site use.

What to Choose for Dental Practices?

Which is the best intraoral scanner for your clinic? It depends on scan types and clinic sizes. Both are popular models for digital impressions.

1. Scan Types

Different dental treatment requirements place varying demands on intraoral scanners.

• · For common prosthesis design: Such as crowns and veneers, where the restoration is relatively easy and the scanning process is straightforward, there is no significant difference in using wired or wireless scanners.
• · For implant and orthodontic procedures: Multi-angle and comprehensive scanning are required. Choosing a wireless device allows for free adjustment of angles and avoids cable interference during operation. Additionally, when there’s a need to move the scanner between different treatment rooms, the portability of wireless scanners can significantly improve work efficiency.

2. Clinic size

The size and number of treatment rooms in a clinic directly affect the suitability of dental 3D scanners.

• · Single-room/small clinics: Typically equipped with 1-2 dental chairs. Wired scanners, with their lower cost and strong stability, are suitable for single-operation scenarios.
• · Medium-sized clinics: Usually equipped with 3-5 dental chairs. When sharing devices across multiple treatment rooms, wireless switching is more efficient, avoiding repeated plugging and unplugging of cables.
• · Large clinics/hospitals: Generally equipped with 5 or more dental chairs. Large clinics or hospitals are better suited for wireless scanners, facilitating quick switching between treatment rooms. Additionally, wireless dental 3D scanners offer excellent scalability and compatibility, adapting well to future upgrade plans.

SHINING 3D DENTAL – Meeting All Your Dental Needs

SHINING 3D DENTAL, as a globally leading digital dental brand, offers multiple high-performance intraoral scanners covering both wired and wireless models to meet the different needs of clinics.

The Aoralscan Elite ensures stable data transmission through a wired connection, making it suitable for scenarios requiring prolonged, continuous scanning and busy, large-scale dental clinics. Weighing only 124 g with a compact size (245x30x26mm), its ergonomic design allows for comfortable handling, enhancing usability and convenience.

The Aoralscan Elite Wireless utilizes Wi-Fi 6 technology to deliver seamless, efficient, and stable scanning. At just 194 g, it is one of the lightest wireless scanners available and also features an ergonomic design. With a 2.5-hour charging time, it supports 2 hours of continuous scanning. Its contact-connection cradle enables easy switching between multiple cradles in different treatment areas, allowing doctors to deploy it flexibly.

Most importantly, both scanners are our IPG (intraoral photogrammetry) scanners, achieving a precision of up to 5μm, far surpassing common scanners. Even for edentulous implant cases, they ensure a passive fit between implants, guaranteeing optimal treatment outcomes.

Final Words

Overall, by comprehensively considering the advantages and limitations of both wired and wireless intraoral scanners, and factoring in scanning types and clinic scale, dental practices can make the most suitable choice.

SHINING 3D DENTAL’s Aoralscan Elite and Aoralscan Elite Wireless break through traditional scanning accuracy, providing dental clinics with efficient and precise digital support. Contact us now to learn more about our wired and wireless models!