Digital dentistry has transformed the way clinicians and labs collaborate and how they communicate and deliver for their patients. Bo Pang, vice general manager & product director at Shining 3D USA, explains how today’s technology eliminates analog impressions, delivers fewer remakes and faster turnaround, and all in all aids in providing the best, efficient oral care.
Q: What sets the Aoralscan Elite Wireless apart from other intraoral scanners in the market?
A: The Aoralscan Elite Wireless is the world’s lightest wireless intraoral scanner and the first to integrate intraoral photogrammetry (IPG) into a single device. Traditionally, clinicians used separate scanners and photogrammetry systems, then spent 20 to 30 minutes manually stitching the datasets. The Elite Wireless captures both in the same coordinate system and stitches them automatically in real time—eliminating manual alignment and reducing operator error.
Its horizontal scanbody design avoids the interference seen with vertical scanbodies, enabling smooth, single-pass capture. Artificial Intelligence- (AI-) powered noise removal and automatic scanbody recognition ensure sub-5 µm accuracy, even in challenging conditions like saliva or blood.
Q: What benefits can practices expect when moving to a full digital workflow?
A: A complete digital workflow transforms a practice’s efficiency. It begins with a fast, precise scan, integrates facial data for aesthetics, and layers CBCT imaging for anatomical context. From there, clinicians design in CAD software and produce restorations in-house with 3D printing.
The result: no analog impressions, fewer remakes, faster turnaround, and closer collaboration between dentist, lab, and patient—who can preview their smile before treatment starts.
Q: What role does facial scanning play in improving aesthetics and precision in restorative planning?
A: Facial scanning connects precise intraoral data with the patient’s overall appearance, ensuring restorations fit both aesthetically and functionally. Our latest addition to the facial scan portfolio, MetiSmile-MR, adds a powerful new dimension—real-time jaw motion tracking.
Beyond standard 3D facial capture, MetiSmile-MR records precise mandibular movement trajectories and dynamic occlusion, giving clinicians an in-depth functional layer for treatment planning. This data, combined with intraoral scans and CBCT, forms a Complete Virtual Patient model that supports more accurate diagnoses, TMD evaluation, virtual articulator transfer, and optimized jaw relation determination.
Looking ahead, we plan to integrate digital smile design (DSD) directly with jaw motion data, enabling clinicians to evaluate aesthetics and function together in a single interactive environment. Our vision is a seamless blend of beauty and biomechanics—informing every design decision for predictable, long-term results.
Q: Why is open-system compatibility important, and how do AI features help?
A: Open systems give clinicians and labs the freedom to use their preferred CAD/CAM platforms—such as exocad—without vendor lock-in.
AI is built into all Shining 3D intraoral scanners. It automatically cleans up soft tissue artifacts, identifies scanbodies, and optimizes stitching accuracy so labs receive clean, ready-to-design datasets.
Beyond scanning, we’re applying AI to restorative design as well. With the Shining 3D Design Service, clinicians can access AI-powered crown design directly from their scan data—making it faster and easier to go from impression to final restoration.
Q: Shining 3D is also known for its dental 3D printing solutions. How does printing fit into the company’s vision for a complete digital workflow?
A: Three-dimensional printing is a critical link in our scan-to-treatment ecosystem, and our printers are designed for speed, precision, and flexibility. They’re super fast, a dental model can be printed in just 12 minutes, and a full-arch restoration in about 15 minutes.
Shining 3D offers a full in-house material portfolio, including FDA-approved resins for models, surgical guides, night guards, crowns, and dentures—ensuring predictable results from design to delivery.
Our printers are also open system with third-party compatibility, preconfigured with more than 20 leading brands and 200 resins, including Keystone, Pac-Dent Rodin, BEGO, and VOCO. This gives clinics and labs the freedom to choose the best materials for each case.
By integrating our printers with Shining 3D’s scanning and AI design solutions, we make it possible to go from intraoral scan to finished appliance in under an hour—streamlining workflows and delivering better care, faster.
Q: How did Shining 3D evolve into a dental innovator?
A: We began as a leader in industrial 3D scanning, delivering micron-level accuracy for aerospace and automotive industries. We brought that metrology expertise into dentistry, creating scanners, printers, and CAD/CAM software tailored for clinical needs. The Elite Wireless combines industrial-grade precision with innovations designed for everyday dental practice.
Q: What’s next from Shining 3D?
A: Our mission is to keep driving innovation in digital dentistry by delivering a complete ecosystem—from 3D scanning to AI diagnosis, AI design, and 3D printing. We’re continuously adding new hardware and advanced AI features to our portfolio, making workflows faster, smarter, and more connected.
Whether it’s breakthrough devices like the Aoralscan Elite Wireless or functional advancements like the MetiSmile-MR, we aim to provide dental professionals with tools that seamlessly integrate aesthetics, function, and efficiency—paving the way for the next generation of patient care.
For more information, visit shining3ddental.com.
