Primescan vs. Omnicam: What’s the Difference and Which Is Right for Your Practice?

If you're considering a CEREC® system, upgrading an existing scanner, or evaluating pre-owned equipment, one of the most important decisions is choosing the right intraoral scanner.

Two names you'll encounter frequently are CEREC Primescan® and CEREC Omnicam®.

Both scanners are part of the CEREC digital dentistry ecosystem, but they represent different generations of scanning technology. Primescan offers newer scanning technology and generally stronger performance, particularly when scanning larger areas. Omnicam, however, remains a practical option for certain practices, especially when acquisition cost is an important part of the decision.

So which one makes sense for your practice?

The answer depends on how you plan to use CEREC, the types of cases you scan, your existing equipment, your production volume, and your investment goals.

Here is how to compare them.

The Short Answer

For practices purchasing a CEREC system today and prioritizing scanning performance, speed, newer technology and long-term workflow capability, Primescan will generally be the stronger choice.

Omnicam can still make sense when budget, existing CEREC equipment, or the cost of entering chairside CAD/CAM carries more weight.

That distinction is important.

The question isn't simply:

Which scanner is better?

A better question is:

Which scanner provides the capabilities your practice actually needs at an investment level that makes sense?

Primescan vs. Omnicam at a Glance

This table is intentionally simplified. Scanner performance also depends on software, workflow, operator experience and the clinical situation.

What Is CEREC Omnicam?

CEREC Omnicam introduced powder-free color intraoral scanning into the CEREC workflow and became a widely used scanner for chairside digital dentistry.

It can be used to capture digital impressions that become part of the CEREC design and manufacturing workflow.

For many practices, Omnicam has been used successfully for restorations such as:

• Crowns
• Inlays
• Onlays
• Veneers
• Other compatible CEREC restorative workflows

Its age does not automatically make it unusable.

That distinction matters when evaluating pre-owned CEREC systems.

A properly configured Omnicam system may allow a practice to enter digital chairside dentistry at a substantially different acquisition cost than a newer Primescan configuration.

What Is CEREC Primescan?

Primescan is a newer generation of Dentsply Sirona's CEREC intraoral scanning technology.

It was designed to improve digital impression acquisition and handle larger quantities of scan data efficiently.

For practices using CEREC frequently -or using their scanner for applications beyond a simple single-unit restoration- those improvements can become meaningful.

Primescan is particularly attractive to practices that prioritize:

• Faster scanning workflows
• Full-arch scanning
• Newer hardware
• Higher-volume digital workflows
• Long-term investment in the current CEREC ecosystem

Independent laboratory studies have also reported stronger accuracy results for Primescan than Omnicam in several testing scenarios. For example, one study evaluating prepared teeth reported greater trueness for Primescan than Omnicam, while another full-arch study also reported stronger overall trueness for Primescan. As with any in-vitro scanner research, those results should not be interpreted as a guarantee of clinical outcomes in every case. PubMed Central (PMC)

Primescan vs. Omnicam: Scanning Accuracy

This is one of the most important differences between the two generations.

Independent studies comparing intraoral scanners have generally found Primescan to perform better than Omnicam in several measures of accuracy, particularly as scan size and complexity increase.

In one prepared-tooth study, Primescan recorded a median trueness deviation of 25 μm compared with 41.5 μm for Omnicam. The same study reported mean precision deviations of 10 ± 2 μm for Primescan and 18 ± 5 μm for Omnicam. PubMed Central (PMC)

Another study using a simplified full-arch reference model found significantly higher accuracy for Primescan than Omnicam based on its matching-error analysis. PubMed Central (PMC)

That doesn't mean every Omnicam scan is inaccurate.

It means scanner generation can matter more as the scanning task becomes demanding.

For a practice primarily scanning straightforward single-unit restorations, the practical difference may not carry the same weight as it would for a practice regularly performing larger scans.

What About Full-Arch Scanning?

This is an area where Primescan becomes particularly compelling.

Full-arch scanning requires an intraoral scanner to continuously capture and combine a much larger amount of anatomical information.

Research comparing multiple intraoral scanners has found Primescan among the stronger performers for full-arch accuracy. One comparative study found Primescan had the best overall trueness among the nine intraoral scanners tested, while Omnicam showed greater deviation. PubMed Central (PMC)

Another study found scanning performance can vary based on both the scanner and scanning strategy, reinforcing an important point: hardware isn't the only factor—technique matters too. PubMed Central (PMC)

For a practice planning extensive digital scanning, the newer scanner may therefore offer more value than it would to a practice primarily focused on individual chairside restorations.

Is Primescan Faster Than Omnicam?

In practical use, one of Primescan's major advantages is its ability to capture and process scan data efficiently.

But speed shouldn't be evaluated only as:

How many seconds does the scan take?

The more meaningful workflow question is:

How quickly can the practice obtain a usable digital impression without rescanning or correcting missing areas?

That depends on:

• Scanner technology
• Operator experience
• Case complexity
• Scan strategy
• Moisture control
• Software
• Size of the area being scanned

For a high-volume digital practice, small improvements in scanning workflow can accumulate across hundreds of cases.

For a practice performing only a small number of CEREC restorations each month, the financial value of that difference may be much smaller.

That is why scanner selection should always be considered together with utilization.

If you're evaluating whether your restorative volume justifies a CEREC investment, see our guide:

How Many Crowns Per Month Do You Need to Justify a CEREC® System?

Scanner Size and Ergonomics Matter Too

Newer doesn't automatically mean better in every physical characteristic.

Omnicam has a relatively compact scanner design, which some users may prefer ergonomically.

Primescan's scanner is larger because it incorporates newer scanning technology.

The practical importance of that difference depends heavily on the clinician.

When evaluating either scanner, consider:

• Scanner weight and balance
• Tip size
• Access to posterior areas
• Scanning technique
• Assistant workflow
• Infection-control procedures
• How frequently the scanner will be used

Specifications are useful, but hands-on workflow matters.

Should Existing Omnicam Owners Upgrade to Primescan?

Not automatically.

If an Omnicam is functioning properly and the practice is successfully completing the cases it wants to perform, replacing it simply because a newer scanner exists may not provide a compelling return on investment.

Instead, ask where the existing workflow is creating limitations.

An upgrade becomes more compelling when the practice wants:

• Faster or more efficient scanning
• Greater confidence with larger scans
• Newer computer hardware
• A more current CEREC configuration
• Higher digital case volume
• Expanded digital workflows

On the other hand, if Omnicam is already meeting the practice's clinical and production requirements, continuing to use it may be economically reasonable.

The existence of newer technology doesn't automatically make existing technology a bad investment.

What If Your Omnicam Computer Is the Problem?

Sometimes the scanner itself isn't the primary limitation.

Older CEREC acquisition units may also be operating with aging computer hardware.

Slow performance, operating-system limitations, hardware failures and compatibility requirements can change the economics of keeping an older system.

Before replacing an Omnicam solely because the system feels slow, determine whether the limitation is coming from:

• The scanner
• Computer hardware
• Storage
• Graphics hardware
• Operating system
• CEREC software version
• Other components in the acquisition unit

For some existing Omnicam owners, upgrading the computer platform may be an alternative to replacing the entire scanning workflow.

OmniBeast® / relevant Omnicam upgrade page

Is Omnicam Still Worth Buying?

For the right buyer, potentially yes.

This is where acquisition cost becomes extremely important.

A practice evaluating its first CEREC system doesn't necessarily need the newest possible equipment. It needs equipment capable of supporting the workflow the practice intends to perform.

Consider two very different practices.

Practice A plans to perform a modest number of straightforward chairside restorations each month and wants to minimize its initial investment.

Practice B expects substantial digital utilization, routinely scans larger areas and wants newer-generation equipment.

Those practices shouldn't necessarily purchase the same CEREC configuration.

For Practice A, a properly configured pre-owned Omnicam system may offer an attractive entry point.

For Practice B, Primescan may justify the additional investment.

This is why comparing only scanner specifications can lead to the wrong purchasing decision.

Is Primescan Worth the Additional Investment?

For many practices, yes, but not universally.

The additional investment becomes easier to justify as the practice places greater value on:

• Scan performance
• Larger scanning applications
• Higher utilization
• Newer hardware
• Workflow efficiency
• Long-term equipment planning

But equipment should ultimately be evaluated economically.

A practice producing only a handful of eligible restorations per month has a very different ROI calculation from a practice producing 20, 30 or more.

The scanner is only one component of that calculation.

Don't Choose the Scanner Without Considering the Milling Unit

A CEREC scanner does not operate in isolation when the goal is complete chairside restoration production.

The complete workflow may include:

Scan → Design → Mill/Grind → Finalize → Deliver

That means scanner selection should also consider the milling equipment the practice intends to use.

For example, a practice may evaluate configurations involving:

• Omnicam + CEREC MC XL
• Primescan + CEREC MC XL
• Primescan + CEREC Primemill

Each configuration has a different acquisition cost and production capability.

A lower-volume practice may place greater value on acquisition cost.

A higher-volume practice may place greater value on milling speed and workflow capacity.

We compare those milling options separately here:

[CEREC MC XL vs. Primemill: Which Milling Unit Is Right for Your Practice?]

Primescan vs. Omnicam for a First-Time CEREC Buyer

For a dentist buying a first CEREC system, I would frame the decision this way.

Consider Omnicam if:

• Lower acquisition cost is a major priority
• The practice is entering chairside CAD/CAM cautiously
• Expected restoration volume is relatively modest
• The intended workflow is compatible with the system
• A properly configured pre-owned system satisfies the practice's requirements

Consider Primescan if:

• The practice wants newer scanning technology
• Digital scanning will be used frequently
• Full-arch scanning matters
• Higher case volume is expected
• The practice wants a newer-generation CEREC configuration
• The additional acquisition cost makes sense within the practice's ROI calculation

Neither list should replace a case-specific evaluation.

The goal is not to buy the most expensive configuration.

It's to buy the configuration the practice will actually use.

New vs. Pre-Owned Changes the Decision

A comparison between Omnicam and Primescan also needs to account for equipment condition and acquisition strategy.

A new or newer-generation system usually requires a larger investment.

Pre-owned equipment can change the break-even calculation considerably.

But pre-owned CEREC equipment should be evaluated carefully.

Important considerations include:

• Scanner condition
• Computer configuration
• Software compatibility
• Milling-unit condition
• Service history
• Included accessories
• Installation
• Training
• Warranty or support availability

The cheapest listing is not necessarily the lowest-cost system to own.

For a deeper look at this decision, see:

[Certified Pre-Owned CEREC® vs. Buying New: What's the Real Difference?]

What About Software Compatibility?

This is an important consideration with any CEREC configuration, especially when combining equipment from different generations.

Before purchasing, confirm compatibility between:

• Scanner
• Acquisition computer
• CEREC software
• Milling unit
• Operating system
• Required licenses
• Additional workflow components

A scanner that looks attractive based on price alone may not be the right purchase if the rest of the configuration cannot support the intended workflow.

This is one reason buying CEREC as a system rather than evaluating every component independently matters.

Which CEREC Scanner Should You Buy?

There isn't one correct answer for every dental practice.

If the priority is newer scanning technology, stronger performance on demanding scans and a more current CEREC configuration, Primescan is generally the better choice.

If the priority is reducing acquisition cost while gaining access to a proven chairside CEREC workflow, Omnicam may still deserve consideration.

The decision becomes clearer when you answer five questions:

1. How many CEREC restorations will you realistically produce each month?
2. Will you primarily scan single units or larger/full-arch cases?
3. What CEREC equipment do you already own?
4. Which milling unit will be part of the workflow?
5. What investment level makes financial sense for the practice?

Those answers are more useful than simply asking which scanner is newer.

Evaluating Primescan or Omnicam for Your Practice?

CAD/CAM Center helps dental practices evaluate CEREC configurations based on restoration volume, existing equipment, workflow requirements and investment goals.

Available configurations can include CEREC systems using equipment such as Primescan, Omnicam, CEREC MC XL and CEREC Primemill, depending on availability and the needs of the practice.

Explore CEREC Systems

Not sure which configuration makes sense?

[Contact CAD/CAM Center to discuss your current equipment, restorative volume and intended workflow.

References

1. Diker B, Tak Ö. Comparing the accuracy of six intraoral scanners on prepared teeth and effect of scanning sequence. Independent in-vitro research comparing Primescan, Omnicam and other intraoral scanners. PubMed Central (PMC)
2. Schmidt A, et al. A novel reference model for dental scanning system evaluation: analysis of five intraoral scanners. Independent in-vitro comparison including Primescan and Omnicam.
3. Michelinakis G, et al. A Comparison of Full Arch Trueness and Precision of Nine Intra-Oral Digital Scanners and Four Lab Digital Scanners. Independent full-arch scanner comparison.
4. Intraoral Scans of Full Dental Arches: An In Vitro Measurement Study of the Accuracy of Different Intraoral Scanners. Independent research evaluating scanner accuracy, scanning strategy and scan time. 

This article is intended for educational purposes. Scanner performance can vary based on software version, hardware configuration, scanning strategy, operator experience and clinical conditions. Product compatibility and configuration should be verified for the specific CEREC system being considered.