Intraoral Scanner vs scanO Air: 10 Must-Know Differences

In the world of digital revolution, dentistry is also evolving with advanced tools and techniques. These enable faster diagnosis, giving patients a better experience with more precise treatment outcomes. Among these inventions, the intraoral scanner has gained more popularity, paving the way for digital dentistry. The FMI projects the intraoral scanner market to double in value between 2025 and 2035, reaching USD 1.6 billion, with a CAGR of 7.6%.

They help dentists capture 3D images of patients' oral cavity, which makes the diagnosis easier enabling faster communications with the dental labs. But the technology doesn't stop here. scanO Air, is an AI dental device that screens the oral cavity and unlock a lot of new features.

Dentists can use this device to upgrade their dental practice to the next level. Dentists who want to upgrade their dental practice towards digital dentistry must understand the differences between a regular scanner and scanO air. Let us explore the key feature of scanO that makes it distinguish it from the intraoral scanner.

What Is an Intraoral Scanner?

An intraoral scanner is a scanning device used by dentists to replicate the tooth structure, for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment planning. The traditional impression methods can be time-consuming and messy. The intraoral scanner provides ready-to-use 3D images that can be used for crown, bridges, and aligner fabrications.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), intraoral scanners offer several benefits. They improve patient comfort. They help in better diagnosis with a closer overview of teeth structure. It helps in better communication between the dentist, patient, and dental lab. They have now become an integral part of digital dentistry.

However, these scanners require manual operation inside the patient’s mouth. The process demands training, and the scanning speed depends on the operator’s skill. Many scanners depend on external laptops or tablets or monitor screens to display the captured 3D images. Traditional intraoral scanners are primarily focused on restorative applications rather than diagnostic capabilities.They are highly effective for creating digital impressions.

scanO Air: The AI Dental Device

scanO air is not just a regular dental scanner. It is the world’s first AI-powered, contactless dental screening device. It is designed to combine patient comfort with cutting-edge technology. scanO Air transforms the way dentists perform diagnostics and engage patients.

They are not like traditional intraoral scanners, which a dentist carries to scan the teeth. scanO Air uses an AI camera that detects the oral cavity automatically, along with the teeth, from a distance of about a foot. This makes them contactless scanning that is non intrusive, making it ideal for patients of all ages. This makes it possible for children and patients with anxiety to scan their teeth without even visiting a dentist.

Key highlights of scanO Air include:

• Faster AI screening: It generates detailed results within 10 seconds.
• Advanced disease detection: scanO air is trained with over 1million data. It identifies over 40 hard tissue conditions, like early-stage caries, lichen planus, and candidiasis.
• Real-time simulation: It visualizes disease progression and even provides an in-built smile correction preview(coming soon). This eliminates the need for separate software.
• Integrated ecosystem: The features like large inbuilt display, Google Cloud connectivity, and instant WhatsApp report sharing supports better patient communication.
• Practice management tools: It facilitates easy appointment scheduling. Analysis of patient data, and the ability to manage multi-branch clinics in one platform is made easy.
• Best customer support: It comes with a 3-year warranty and 24x7 tech support. It offers customer support anywhere and everywhere.

They give faster results, with better comfort and integrated AI systems. scanO Air is a transformative device in digital dentistry.

Key Differences Between Intraoral Scanner and scanO Air

While both devices belong to the category of dental scanners, their functionalities differ significantly.

FeatureTraditional Intraoral ScannerscanO AirScanning MethodManual, requires intraoral contactAI-powered auto-detection, contactlessDisplayNeeds external laptop or tabletLarge inbuilt screen for instant visualizationSpeed1–3 minutes per full archUnder 10 seconds for AI screeningAI IntegrationLimited, mainly for image stitchingDetects 40+ diseases, provides real-time analyticsSmile SimulationRequires separate softwareInbuilt smile correction & disease simulationWarranty & SupportTypically 1-year, varies by brand3-year warranty + 24x7 tech supportData SharingManual export of reportsInstant WhatsApp & cloud sharingPatient ExperienceMild discomfort due to wand useCompletely non-intrusive and comfortable

The above table gives clear results. Traditional scanners provide better results in restorative applications. scanO Air provides diagnostic precision, AI-powered insights, and better patient comfort.

Exclusive Merits of scanO Air

scanO Air brings a suite of unique advantages that extend beyond conventional scanning:

• It is a contactless operating device. It ensures a stress-free experience for patients who fear dental instruments.
• The AI features can detect 40+ diseases. This ensures early diagnosis and preventive care.
• This device can stimulate real-time disease progression. It helps patients understand the consequences of delayed treatment.
• The inbuilt smile correction preview is a valuable tool. This helps in esthetics, smile design and treatment planning.
• The integrated Google Cloud system ensures secure data management.
• The large display with 22-inch touch panel eliminates the need for external monitors.
• They have in-built patient management features. This includes patient profiles, multiclinic coordination, and smart dashboard analytics.
• The multi-language AI assisted voice support enhances patient engagement across diverse populations.
• Industry-leading warranty and support. This offers peace of mind for long-term investment.

All these features enhance patients' trust. It improves treatment acceptance and increases patient lifetime value.

Merits and Demerits

Both devices have their strengths and limitations, but scanO Air’s benefits far outweigh its minor drawbacks.

Traditional Intraoral Scanner

• The impressions are accurate for prosthetic treatment planning and orthodontic diagnosis.
• It requires intraoral movement of the device and external display devices.
• The AI capabilities are limited. They don't provide in-built diagnostic stimulation.

scanO Air

• AI-driven diagnostics and patient education tools.
• Faster results, contactless operation suitable for all ages.
• Currently focused on screening and diagnostics rather than full prosthetic impressions, but its preventive care advantages make this limitation less significant for most clinics.

Why scanO Air Is the Future of Digital Dentistry

The world of digital dentistry demands tools that are precise, patient-focused, and data-driven. AI application in dentistry is a boon to all dentists, which improves diagnostic precision and streamline workflow.

scanO Air embodies these trends, combining AI diagnostics, digital dentistry workflows, and practice management into a single device.

They deliver instant results, improving patient trust and enabling preventive care, which enables dentists to provide a superior standard of care. For clinics that want to transform their clinic toward digital dentistry to future-proof their career, scanO is more than an upgrade; it is a strategic investment.

Conclusion

An intraoral scanner is a valuable tool for creating digital impressions. Digital dentistry is evolving rapidly. AI-driven devices like scanO Air are changing what dental scanners can achieve. It offers AI-driven diagnostics, real-time patient engagement, and unmatched ease of use.

If you are a dentist committed to staying ahead of the curve, adopting an AI dental device like scanO Air is a smart plan. This isn’t just about keeping up with technology; it’s about providing smarter, faster, and more patient-friendly dental care.