Research

Dental Equipment Cost Index — 2026

Equipment quotes vary by region, distributor relationship, and bundling. This index gives current 2026 working bands for the major dental equipment categories so practices can sanity-check the quote in front of them.

Published · Coverage: 2026

Key findings

What we found.

  • Entry CBCT (small-FOV) prices around $50K new; large-FOV systems suited for ortho and airway analysis reach $150K+ new.
  • Chairside CAD/CAM (CEREC and equivalents) is largely standardized in the $38K–$52K hardware range across major manufacturers.
  • Intraoral scanners have the widest entry spread — sub-$25K (Medit) to $50K (iTero 5D Plus / Primescan AC).
  • Refurbished/CPO units for CBCT, CEREC, and chairs typically run 50–70% of new pricing with manufacturer-backed warranty.
  • Service contracts on digital imaging and CAD/CAM typically run 8–15% of equipment cost annually after Year 1.
Methodology

How we sourced this.

Pricing bands reflect publicly listed manufacturer pricing, dealer quote benchmarks, and refurbisher pricing where available. Used / refurbished pricing reflects current secondary-market listings from major dealers. Service-contract bands reflect manufacturer-published service program pricing. Pricing is current as of publication and should be confirmed with vendor quotes before financing decisions.

Sources

  • Planmeca, Carestream, Dentsply Sirona, Vatech — public pricing
  • Henry Schein, Patterson Dental, Benco — distributor catalogs
  • Major refurbishers — published pre-owned inventory

CBCT (3D cone-beam)

Small-FOV (5×5 cm, 8×8 cm) entry units — Vatech PaX-i3D, Carestream CS 8200, Acteon X-Mind Prime: $50K–$65K new.

Medium-FOV — Planmeca ProMax 3D Mid, Carestream CS 8200 3D, Dentsply Sirona Orthophos: $70K–$110K new.

Large-FOV — Planmeca ProMax 3D Max, Carestream CS 9600, Dentsply Sirona Axeos: $120K–$155K+ new.

Refurbished CPO entry units from reputable dealers: $35K–$60K.

Add shielding/install: $5K–$20K depending on room and state requirements.

Entry small-FOV new
$50K–$65K
Medium-FOV new
$70K–$110K
Large-FOV new
$120K–$155K+
Refurbished entry
$35K–$60K

Chairside CAD/CAM

Dentsply Sirona CEREC Primemill + Primescan bundle: $48K–$52K hardware.

Planmeca PlanMill 30 S + Emerald scanner: $40K–$48K.

Glidewell io: $38K–$42K.

Annual software subscription: $1,200–$1,800.

Service contract after Year 1: ~12–15% of hardware cost annually.

CEREC Primemill bundle
$48K–$52K
Planmeca PlanMill 30 S bundle
$40K–$48K
Software subscription
$1,200–$1,800/yr
Service after Year 1
12–15%/yr

Intraoral scanners

Entry: Medit i700, Aoralscan — $20K–$25K.

Mid: 3Shape Trios Move, Carestream CS 3700 — $25K–$35K.

High: iTero 5D Plus, Primescan AC, Trios 5 — $35K–$50K.

Chairs, X-ray, sterilization, lasers

Chairs: $5K refurbished — $30K premium per op. Quality A-dec / Belmont / Pelton & Crane new units typically $15K–$22K.

Pan/Ceph digital X-ray: $25K–$60K depending on FOV and ceph add-on.

Intraoral digital sensors: $5K–$15K per operatory.

Autoclaves (tabletop): $5K–$10K. Multi-op sterilization centers: $15K–$25K.

Diode lasers: $5K–$10K. Hard-tissue (Er:YAG, CO2): $35K–$80K.