What Is 3Shape

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Last updated: April 17, 2026

Quick Answer: 3Shape is a Danish company founded in 2000 that develops 3D scanning and digital modeling software for dental and hearing care professionals. Its solutions are used in over 120 countries and power more than 50,000 scanning systems worldwide.

Key Facts

3Shape was founded in 2000 in Copenhagen, Denmark by three university graduates.
The company’s dental scanners are used in over 120 countries.
More than 50,000 3Shape scanning systems have been installed globally as of 2023.
In 2021, 3Shape reported revenue of approximately $450 million.
3Shape’s software supports over 100 types of dental and orthodontic workflows.

Overview

3Shape is a leading developer of 3D digital scanning and modeling solutions primarily focused on the dental and hearing care industries. Founded in 2000 by three engineering graduates from the University of Copenhagen, the company has grown into a global force in digital dentistry.

Headquartered in Copenhagen, 3Shape specializes in creating hardware and software that streamline dental workflows, from impression scanning to orthodontic planning. Its technology enables dental labs and clinics to replace traditional molds with fast, accurate digital scans.

Founded in 2000: Three Danish engineers—Stig Berg, Ole Andersen, and Erik Bryndorf—launched 3Shape to revolutionize digital dentistry with accessible 3D scanning tools.
Global reach: 3Shape’s products are now used in over 120 countries, serving dental clinics, laboratories, and orthodontic practices worldwide.
Core technology: The company’s proprietary software uses structured light scanning to capture dental impressions with accuracy within 5 microns.
Product range: 3Shape offers scanners like the Trios series, which integrates intraoral scanning with AI-powered shade matching and real-time visualization.
Market impact: As of 2023, more than 50,000 3Shape scanning systems have been deployed globally, making it one of the most widely adopted platforms in digital dentistry.

How It Works

3Shape’s technology combines advanced optics, real-time software processing, and cloud integration to digitize dental workflows from impression to restoration design.

Structured Light Scanning: This technique projects a pattern of light onto teeth, capturing shape and color with sub-millimeter precision in seconds.
Real-Time Rendering: The Trios intraoral scanner displays a 3D model on-screen as the dentist scans, reducing errors and improving patient communication.
AI Integration: 3Shape uses artificial intelligence to suggest occlusion points and detect margins, improving the accuracy of crown and bridge designs.
Cloud Collaboration: Scans are securely uploaded to 3Shape Communicate, allowing dentists and labs to collaborate in real time across locations.
Workflow Compatibility: The software supports over 100 dental workflows, including implants, aligners, and removable prosthetics.
Open Architecture: 3Shape systems export to STL and CAD formats, ensuring compatibility with third-party milling and printing systems.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how 3Shape compares to other major dental scanning platforms based on key performance metrics and features:

Feature	3Shape Trios	Itero Element	Planmeca PlanScan	CEREC by Dentsply Sirona
Accuracy	5 microns	20 microns	15 microns	25 microns
Color Capture	Yes, true shade	Limited	Yes	No
Real-Time Rendering	Yes	Yes	No	Limited
Cloud Integration	3Shape Communicate	Invisalign Connect	Planmeca Central	CEREC Connect
Supported Workflows	100+	50+	70+	60+

The table highlights 3Shape’s competitive edge in accuracy, workflow support, and real-time visualization. Its color fidelity and cloud-based collaboration tools give it an advantage in complex restorative and orthodontic cases, especially when aesthetics are critical.

Why It Matters

3Shape’s innovations have significantly accelerated the shift from analog to digital dentistry, improving both clinical outcomes and patient experience. By reducing reliance on physical impressions, the technology minimizes discomfort and speeds up treatment timelines.

Efficiency gains: Clinics using 3Shape report 30% faster turnaround for crowns and bridges due to immediate digital sharing with labs.
Precision in orthodontics: The Trios scanner’s ability to capture gingival margins and tooth alignment improves Invisalign treatment planning.
Reduced material costs: Digital workflows eliminate the need for physical models, saving labs up to $200 per case in materials.
Training and support: 3Shape offers certified training programs in 30+ countries, helping clinicians maximize system utilization.
Environmental impact: Eliminating plaster models and impression materials reduces dental waste by an estimated 15 kilograms per clinic annually.
Future-ready design: 3Shape’s open software architecture supports integration with AI diagnostics and robotic manufacturing systems.

As digital dentistry becomes standard, 3Shape remains at the forefront, setting benchmarks for accuracy, usability, and interoperability in dental technology.