Five microns on a single die is a real number and a nearly useless one.
What matters is whether accuracy holds through a full-arch scan with a deep undercut, subgingival margins and a patient who will not stay still — because that is the case that comes back. Ask for the tolerance held in continuous clinical use, not the laboratory figure.
The question that reveals the business model
“What does it cost me to send a case to a lab that does not use your software?” The answer tells you whether you are buying a scanner or entering a subscription.
An open STL or PLY workflow lets you send to any lab. A closed system routes through the manufacturer's portal, often per case. Over three years that is frequently a larger number than the hardware itself, and it almost never appears on the quote.
What actually fails
| Component | Nature | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Scanner tips | Consumable, cycle-limited | Cracked or fogged optics degrade scans gradually. Operators normalise it before they notice. |
| Cable and connector | Mechanical wear | The most common hardware failure in the category. Chairside cable strain is constant. |
| Calibration drift | Gradual | Produces restorations that fail at seating with no obvious cause. Calibrate on schedule, not on suspicion. |
| Subscription lapse | Contractual | Some systems restrict export when a subscription ends. Confirm this in writing before purchase. |
The full guide, including the blank three-year cost-of-ownership table you can take to any vendor.
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We stock in Boca Raton and we will tell you when something is wrong for your operation. Bring us your shortlist — we will fill in the three-year comparison with you, including the rows our competitors leave blank.
Call 954-874-6325 Talk to a rep Compare the scannersMon–Fri 8am–5pm ET · support@usdentaldepot.com · 18 years supplying labs and clinics
The complete series — all 6 guides
- 1. Capital equipment — The three numbers before any purchase
- 2. Milling units — Wet, dry or both
- 3. 3D printers — Why print speed is the wrong number
- 4. Intraoral scanners — Open STL or their portal (you are here)
- 5. Sintering furnaces — The program, not the furnace
- 6. Choosing a distributor — Ten questions for any distributor
← Part 3: 3D printersPart 5: Sintering furnaces →
Browse the full catalogue at usdentaldepot.com — over 40,000 items, shipped from one warehouse in Boca Raton.