How much does an intraoral scanner cost in 2026 and how does it pay for itself?

In short: the price of an intraoral scanner in 2026 depends mainly on three things: whether it is wired or wireless, whether it supports implant photogrammetry (IPG), and what is included in the package (software, warranty, training, accessories). That is why you need to look not only at the purchase price but at the total cost of ownership and how much the scanner saves your clinic each month. IMMT quotes equipment prices on request, as they depend on the configuration.

Why prices are not published

The same scanner can be sold with different packages: extra tips, a cart, a computer, coded scan bodies or a demo model. The offer also usually includes installation and training. A single figure without context is therefore often misleading: two clinics may pay different amounts for "the same" scanner because they are getting a different solution.

What determines the price of an intraoral scanner

1. Wired or wireless

Wireless versions (e.g. Aoralscan 3 Wireless, Aoralscan Elite Wireless NEO) include a battery, a Wi-Fi 6 module and a charging solution, so they cost more than their wired counterparts. In return, you get the freedom to work across several treatment rooms without cables.

2. Photogrammetry (IPG)

The most expensive category is scanners with intraoral photogrammetry for full-arch implant cases: Aoralscan Elite and Aoralscan Elite Wireless. IPG also requires additional accessories: coded scan bodies, screws and Scan Caps. If your clinic has no All-on-X cases, IPG is not worth paying for.

3. Software and licenses

Aoralscan scanners export open STL, OBJ and PLY files, and RAYiOS 2 is presented as an open system. Openness matters because it lets you send files to any lab without extra export fees. Before buying, ask which software modules are included, how updates are delivered and whether there are any recurring fees.

4. Warranty and service

For example, Aoralscan Elf and Elite Wireless NEO come with a 2-year warranty. Compare not only the length of the warranty but also what happens in the event of a fault: is local technical support available, how quickly is the device replaced, and can you get a loan scanner?

5. Training and installation

A scanner only pays for itself when it is used every day. Software installation, training for dentists and assistants, and support with the first cases should be part of the offer, not an unpleasant surprise.

6. Computer, cart and accessories

• Computer. For the Aoralscan Elite series, the manufacturer recommends at least an Intel Core i7-8700 processor, 32 GB RAM and an NVIDIA RTX 2060 6 GB graphics card, or macOS Ventura 13 or later. If you do not have such a computer, include it in the budget.
• Cart. The mobile cart for the Aoralscan 3 scanner or the All-in-one e-motion workstation with an integrated face scanning camera.
• Tips. According to the manufacturer, Aoralscan 3 tips can be autoclaved for up to 100 cycles, so they need replacing over time. A few spare tips let you keep working while others are being sterilized.
• IPG accessories. Coded scan bodies, screws and Scan Caps: for Elite and Elite Wireless users only.

Price categories in the IMMT range

The categories reflect price level, not a quality hierarchy: an entry-level scanner can be entirely sufficient for everyday crowns or aligners, while an implantology-class scanner only pays for itself when the clinic actually performs full-arch implant cases. So define your caseload first, and only then the category.

Total cost of ownership (TCO)

When budgeting for 3–5 years, add up:

• the scanner price with the chosen package;
• a computer (if a new one is needed) and a cart or holder;
• spare tips and, where applicable, IPG accessories;
• software update or add-on module costs (if any);
• post-warranty service terms;
• the team's learning time in the first weeks.

How to calculate payback

The simplest formula: monthly benefit = impressions per month × savings per impression + additional patient revenue from chair time saved. Payback period = investment ÷ monthly benefit. Plug in your clinic's figures:

1. Impression materials. How much you spend each month on impression materials, trays and disinfection.
2. Courier and logistics. A digital impression is sent to the lab as a file, e.g. via SHINING 3D Dental Cloud, so there is no need to ship impressions and plaster models.
3. Retakes and adjustments. How many times a month you have to retake an impression or adjust work because of an inaccurate impression. When scanning, you see a defect on screen immediately and can rescan just that area.
4. Chair time. For Aoralscan 3, the manufacturer states that one arch is scanned in ~25 s and both in about a minute. Compare this with the duration of your usual impression, including material setting time.
5. New work. Digital models let you print models, splints or provisionals in-house with a 3D printer and offer the patient a treatment visualization.

The biggest payback risk is a scanner sitting in a cupboard. Plan which dentists will use it, and for which work, from the very first month.

The most common mistakes when assessing price

• Comparing only the purchase price. A cheaper scanner without local service or training can cost more if the clinic has to fall back on conventional impressions during downtime.
• Buying a feature you don't need. Photogrammetry is essential for full-arch implant cases, but for a general practice it only increases the investment. Equally, it is a mistake not to buy IPG if All-on-X cases are already routine.
• Forgetting the computer. A scanner on an underpowered computer runs slower, which directly reduces the chair time you save.
• Not checking the lab's readiness. Before buying, agree with your dental technicians on the format and channel through which they will receive scans.
• Not planning the rollout. In the first weeks, scanning may take longer while the team learns the workflow. Factor this into the payback calculation.

Questions worth asking the supplier

• What exactly is included in the package, and what is the warranty?
• Are files exported in open formats, and does that cost extra?
• Who will handle installation and training, and is support available in your language?
• Can you try the scanner in your own clinic with your own patients?

Get an offer and a demo

You will find all models in the intraoral scanners section. Contact IMMT: we will prepare an offer based on your clinic's type of work, visit with a demo scanner and help you assess payback using your own figures.