Looking for the right dental 3D scanner for your practice or lab? Whether you need a budget-friendly intraoral scanner for general dentistry or a premium wireless intraoral scanner for full-arch implant cases, we stock and compare the leading dental intraoral scanners on the market — including Coxo, Medit, Runyes, Dexis, Eighteeth, Panda and more, with transparent, VAT-included UK pricing.

Jump to: Compare Prices · Wired vs Wireless · Best Scanners by Need · Shop All Scanners · FAQs

What Is a Dental 3D Scanner?

A dental 3D scanner (also called an intraoral scanner or digital impression scanner) is a handheld device dentists use to capture a highly accurate 3D digital model of a patient’s teeth and gums, replacing traditional putty impressions. The scanner projects structured light onto the oral surfaces; onboard sensors capture the reflected data and build a real-time 3D model that can be sent straight to a dental lab or milling unit.

This is distinct from a dental model scanner (a desktop lab scanner used to digitise physical plaster models rather than scan directly in the mouth) — most clinics today invest in an intraoral scanner first, since it removes impression trays entirely and speeds up the whole digital workflow.

Prices include UK VAT. Request a custom quote for multi-unit clinic or lab orders.

How to Choose the Right Dental 3D Scanner

Choosing the right dental intraoral scanner depends on accuracy, speed, and workflow integration. Clinics focused on implant planning should prioritise high-precision models like the Medit i900 series; general practices often get the best value from fast, easy-to-use wired scanners like the COXO DL300-P or Hi10.

Wired vs Wireless Dental 3D Scanners: Which Should You Choose?

Wireless intraoral scanners are the more advanced option, offering greater freedom of movement, a faster chairside workflow, and no cable management — ideal for high-end, high-volume practices that want maximum efficiency.

Wired dental intraoral scanners remain extremely popular for good reason:

• Lower upfront cost — most of our best-selling, cheapest intraoral scanners are wired
• Continuous power, no battery downtime
• Simpler maintenance, fewer hardware dependencies
• Proven long-term durability in busy practices

In short: if budget and reliability matter most, a wired scanner is the smarter buy. If mobility and cutting-edge workflow matter more than upfront cost, go wireless.

Best Dental 3D Scanners by Need

• Best budget intraoral scanner: Hi10 (£2,700) or COXO DL300-P (£2,599)
• Best affordable wireless scanner: LAUNCA DL-300 (£3,999)
• Best mid-range all-rounder: Hi11 (£3,999) or Ownsmile 5S (£3,499)
• Best for dental labs & full-arch cases: Aoralscan Elf/ Medit i900 series
• Best premium/high-performance: Aoralscan Elf / Medit i900M

Dental 3D Scanner FAQs

1. How much does a dental 3D scanner cost? UK prices typically range from around £2,400 for entry-level wired models to over £13,000 for premium wireless systems like the Medit i900M. Most general practices land between £2,700–£4,500.

2. What is the cheapest intraoral scanner available? The Hi10 (£2,700), Dexis IS 3600 (£2,400) and COXO DL300-P (£2,599) are currently our most affordable fully-featured intraoral scanners, both including training and warranty.

3. Is a wireless or wired intraoral scanner better? Wireless scanners offer more mobility and a faster chairside workflow; wired scanners are more affordable and just as reliable for everyday clinical use. See our full comparison above.

4. What is a dental digital impression scanner used for? It replaces traditional putty impressions by capturing a precise 3D digital model of the teeth and gums directly in the patient’s mouth, which can be sent straight to a lab or milling unit.

5. What’s the difference between an intraoral scanner and a dental model scanner? An intraoral scanner scans directly inside the patient’s mouth. A dental model scanner (desktop lab scanner) instead digitises physical plaster models — a different piece of lab equipment entirely.

6. Which is the best intraoral scanner for dental labs? For full-arch cases and lab work, the Medit i900 series and Medit i700 are among the most widely used due to their scan accuracy and speed.

7. What are the best-selling intraoral scanners under £5,000? Hi10, COXO DL300-P, Runyes 3DS V3 iOS-11/Pro, Ownsmile 5S, Fussen S6500, Runyes V5, Panda P3, Hi11, Allied Star AS260, LAUNCA DL-300, Helios 680, and Clariscan UP610 all fall under £5,000.

8. What are the main benefits of using an intraoral scanner? Improved patient comfort, faster and more accurate digital impressions, immediate visual feedback, better lab communication, improved case acceptance, and fewer remakes compared to traditional impressions.

9. How does an intraoral scanner work? A handheld wand projects structured light onto the teeth and gums; sensors capture the reflected data and build a real-time 3D digital model.

10. What are the limitations of intraoral scanning? Reduced accuracy in deep subgingival margins, difficulty with heavy bleeding or saliva, and lower performance in very long-span restorations. Proper training improves results significantly.

11. Do I need a special computer for an intraoral scanner? Yes — most scanners need a dedicated GPU, a fast CPU, sufficient RAM, and SSD storage for smooth real-time 3D rendering.

12. What should I consider before buying a dental 3D scanner? Scanning accuracy and speed, wired vs wireless preference, software compatibility with your lab, warranty/support, total cost of ownership, and ease of use.