3D scanners have now established themselves in many different areas. An industry in which the devices are used particularly frequently is dentistry. Thanks to 3D scanning, dentists are able to create fully customized braces and dentures for their patients. This can either be done with intraoral 3D scanners, i.e. scanners that are inserted directly into the patient’s mouth, or special 3D laboratory scanners for dentists who make the impression. One of the leading companies in the field of 3D digital manufacturing and digital dentistry is SHINING 3D. We spoke to Sunny Wong, Managing Director of Overseas Business, at Formnext to learn more about the company’s solutions, the impact of the COVID-19 crisis and the opportunities for scanning in dentistry, especially post-pandemic.
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3DN: Can you briefly introduce yourself and SHINING 3D?
My name is Sunny Wong, I am Managing Director for Overseas Business at SHINING 3D. Founded in 2004, SHINING 3D is a scientific and technological innovation company specializing in high-precision 3D digitizing solutions with hardware and software based on computer vision. SHINING 3D develops, produces and sells devices for digitizing teeth, including professional 3D scanners, software solutions and 3D printers. SHINING 3D aims to provide digital dental solutions with intraoral 3D scanners and a cloud service platform for visual consultation, restoration, orthodontics, implantation and aesthetics, as well as high-precision 3D digitizing solutions for design and inspection in the fields of industrial manufacturing, the creative sector, medicine, education, scientific research etc. SHINING 3D wants to make an international impact on the sector and promote the spread of high-precision 3D digital technology in various application areas for all users worldwide.
Sunny Wong from SHINING 3D (Image: SHINING 3D)
3DN: Many industries have been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, how was SHINING 3D? What measures has the company taken?
The core tasks of SHINING 3D include the development of highly efficient and accessible digital manufacturing solutions. We develop our products in such a way that we can respond to the needs of our customers while strictly controlling costs in the development process. When everything shut down in 2020, we were able to provide solutions that allow employees to work remotely and with less human contact. During the COVID period, despite many new supply chain challenges, we have developed and launched several new models of our scanners and printers.
When it came to product-specific changes, particularly when developing the AoralScan 3, we focused on developing the device in such a way that patient-doctor contact is kept to a minimum. We create the solutions that our customers demand and we develop solutions that meet those needs. Versatility is key for us, we have multifunctional and hybrid lightweight 3D scanners for different applications, in combination with our software packages.
At Formnext, attendees were able to see scanners such as SHINING 3D’s AoralScan series, which enables scanning inside the patient’s mouth (Image: SHINING 3D)
3DN: Can you tell us a bit more about your latest solutions, specifically the hybrid 3D scanner series and FreeScan UE?
I would like to start by explaining our hybrid 3D scanner series. The hybrid structure light source technology integrates structured LED light and invisible infrared light in one device. This allows the addition of advanced smart presets in different scanning modes, enabling 3D scanning for a wide range of applications, increasing the popularity of handheld 3D scanning technology. With the invisible infrared light source, we provide a reliable solution to the problem of scanning dark objects and even enable human hair scanning, because face scanning is also more comfortable without strong light. The device can be used to assist users in the design and manufacture of orthotics and prostheses, as well as other applications. With a built-in color camera and a large field of view, EinScan H delivers high quality color 3D data that is ready to use in minutes. The device was developed based on feedback from customers in the medical industry. The Einscan HX is the first hybrid scanner of its kind to combine structured light and laser in one handy device without compromising on accuracy or precision. The hybrid scanners open up a new range of applications through the combination of different light technologies.
FreeScan UE integrates the high accuracy and precision from the Metrology product line. Its robust and lightweight design allows the professional users to scan objects accurately and comfortably, thanks in part to the ergonomic design. The scanner’s unique temperature control allows the user to scan even in the most difficult environments, thus obtaining the most accurate 3D data for all types of objects.
SHINING 3D presented its latest scanning solutions at Formnext 2021 (Image: SHINING 3D)
3DN: SHINING 3D is best known for digital dentistry products, especially intraoral scanners. Can you tell us a bit more about your solutions/work in this area? How useful is scanning for the dental industry?
SHINING 3D is able to provide a complete and integrated digital solution for dental technicians and dentists around the world. It is complete because our 3D scanners and 3D printers are connected to the most powerful CAD software on the market. With them, it is possible to go through the entire digital workflow, from capturing the patient’s initial clinical situation, to planning and designing the restoration, to creating the prosthetic tool to complete the treatment. It is an integrated solution as all our hardware and software are connected in a step-by-step workflow where both experienced and novice users can find the most ideal solution for the development of a clinical and technical case.
By using 3D scanners to capture data and detailed information about the patient’s clinical situation, dentists and technicians can communicate more smoothly and effectively. In addition, the planning and design of the restoration can be more accurate and better tailored to the specific needs of each individual patient. As a result, the fabrication of dentures can be faster, more accurate, and result in greater patient satisfaction, who, after all, is the last and most important link in this chain.
The trend in recent years shows a constant growth in digital dentistry solutions used in clinics and laboratories around the world. And especially now, in the Covid period, where the use of more accurate and safer solutions is becoming more and more necessary, digital dentistry is the key to achieve higher standards and better results, satisfying both professionals and patients.
SHINING 3D is known for its digital dentistry products (Image: SHINING 3D)
We constantly innovate and improve our technology based on the feedback of thousands of users from different countries. At the same time, we continuously offer free software updates to all users. Together with our customers, we experience the rapidly growing demand for high-performance digital 3D technology and explore the potential of real 3D models in more and more applications. The dental industry is an example of such a digital application trend.
To date, we have more than 10,000 lab users who benefit from integrating the SHINING 3D scanner into their daily digital workflow. We also offer 3D scanning technology for dental clinics. Our first intra-oral scanner was developed in 2015. However, we never brought this to market because the model would have needed spray to collect data efficiently. So we decided to develop the second generation and 4 years later we successfully launched the AoralScan 2 in Q4 2019.
Since then, over 4000 Aoralscan 2 scanners have been installed worldwide, proving the value of the device and demonstrating how clinics can digitize their work. The scanner was used for restoration, orthodontics and implantology. Based on feedback and suggestions from many clinic users, we have further developed and optimized our technology and product. In September this year, during IDS Germany, we launched our third generation intraoral scanner – the Auralscan 3, which is lighter, faster and more accurate. In the meantime we have developed a number of new software functions for this. SHINING 3D also offers the self-developed AccuFab-L4K high-precision stereolithography 3D printer, providing a total solution for digital dental workflow. We are convinced that the digital dental solution will further improve the workflow of dentists, dental laboratories and patients.
SHINING 3D also offers the high-precision Stereolithography 3D printer AccuFab-L4K (Image: SHINING 3D)
3DN: Do you have any final words for our readership?
Despite the difficult Covid period, which brought many new challenges, SHINING 3D will try to meet the demands of the market with technological innovations for high-precision 3D digitizing solutions in both hardware and software. In addition, we benefit from the feedback of our users and will continue to improve the user experience in order to be able to offer even better products, software solutions, more efficient support and service to users worldwide. For more information, visit our website HERE.
*Cover photo credit: SHINING 3D
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