If 2011 is any indication, 3Shape isn't slowing down anytime soon. Last year, the company grew by 80% in sales for the U.S.; hired 65 people, including nine in its U.S. office; and filed dozens of U.S. patents.
At LAB DAY, it made two key announcements: its 3Shape TRIOS intraoral digital impression system and a new version of its software will be available by the end of the year. The TRIOS scanner doesn't require the use of spray, captures more than 3,000 2D images per second and the dentist can rest the scanner on the teeth for support as he scans.
The 3Shape Dental System 2013 offers a host of enhancements, including new indications. For instance, for the first time, the software allows users to fabricate full dentures. Users can digitally design, print or mill gingiva, and then place traditional denture teeth. It also has a new orthodontic module, Appliance Designer™, that allows you to fabricate nightguards, retainers, splints, surgical bites and more.
The new version features tools to boost technician-dentist communication, including 3Shape Communicate™ that allows you to send 3D virtual diagnostic waxups online for dentist and patient previewing. RealView Engine™ offers a near photo-realistic rendering of the case that includes the newly designed teeth as well as the scanned existing teeth and gingiva, allowing you to provide an accurate picture of the final restoration.
The system's digital articulator has also been improved. A new generation of the Dynamic Virtual Articulator allows you to transfer the exact jaw position from a physical articulator into the digital one and bring electronic facebow motion recordings into the software. You can perform jaw movements manually, let the system do it automatically, or apply virtual articulating paper or Occlusion Compass to see the occlusion-colored contact points.
Other software enhancements include:
-Improved automatic scan and design features that allow users to simply fine tune the system's suggestions.
-Enhanced Smile Composer™ that allows morphing of whole tooth sets as a single unit to maintain smile structure and relationships between teeth, and the ability to mirror CAD design or copy anatomy from any scan.
-Third-generation abutment software that allows you to create angled screw holes and unique two-piece abutments.
For additional information, call 908-867-0144 or visit www.3shape.com.
