Planmeca — Onyx, Emerald & Emerald S Intraoral Scanners

Planmeca is a Finnish dental-equipment manufacturer whose intraoral scanners run inside the all-in-one Planmeca Romexis software platform. Its newest scanner, the Planmeca Onyx™ (revealed at IDS 2025), runs both wired and wireless; the compact Emerald and faster Emerald S remain in the lineup. This page is a neutral manufacturer profile — the company and ownership, the Onyx / Emerald / Emerald S scanners, the Romexis ecosystem, regulatory status, and the competitive claims Planmeca themselves publish. Facts are drawn from Planmeca's own documentation and authorized-reseller listings; see citations after each section.

About Planmeca

Planmeca is one of the largest privately owned companies in the dental industry, founded in 1971 by Heikki Kyöstilä and still family-controlled. Beyond intraoral scanners, Planmeca makes dental units (chairs), 2D/3D imaging (CBCT), and CAD/CAM mills — all designed to run through a single software platform, Planmeca Romexis. Planmeca's intraoral scanning began with the PlanScan (via its acquisition of E4D Technologies); the current line is the new wired/wireless Onyx (2025) alongside the Emerald and Emerald S.

Planmeca Scanner Timeline

• 1971Planmeca founded in Helsinki by Heikki Kyöstilä.
• ~2013Planmeca PlanScan — Planmeca's earlier intraoral scanner, following its acquisition of E4D Technologies.
• 2018Planmeca Emerald — a compact, lightweight color intraoral scanner.
• 2019Planmeca Emerald S — the faster (hyper-speed) successor to the Emerald.
• 2025Planmeca Onyx — revealed at IDS 2025 and now available; Planmeca's newest scanner, running both wired and wireless.

Current Scanner Lineup

Planmeca Onyx™ — wired & wireless (newest)

Revealed at the International Dental Show (IDS) 2025 and now available, the Planmeca Onyx is Planmeca's newest intraoral scanner. Its headline capability is dual-mode operation — the same scanner runs cable-free for freedom of movement, or corded when you prefer. Planmeca lists it with an AutoMerge™ capture feature (scans captured in any order and in multiple segments), reusable autoclavable tips, support across restorative, orthodontic, implant, and maxillofacial indications, and flexibility for multi-room clinics. It is manufactured in Finland and runs in the Planmeca software ecosystem. Detailed hardware specs (weight, connectivity, tip options) should be confirmed on Planmeca's Onyx page, as they were still being finalized publicly at launch.

Planmeca Emerald S — published specifications

⚠️ Specifications below are as published by Planmeca and authorized resellers. Always confirm the current spec sheet and regulatory clearance with Planmeca before purchase or clinical use.

What Planmeca Claims as Advantages

The following are positions Planmeca publishes on its own materials. We list them as Planmeca frames them — 3DL has not independently benchmarked these claims, and clinicians should evaluate against their own needs.

• Wired or wireless (Onyx). The newest Planmeca scanner, the Onyx, operates both corded and cable-free — Planmeca positions this dual mode for freedom of movement and multi-room clinics.
• Fast, compact, lightweight. Planmeca markets the Emerald S as a small, light wand (229 g with tip) built for speed and ergonomic comfort.
• All-in-one Planmeca Romexis. Scans live in the same software as Planmeca's imaging (CBCT/2D) and CAD/CAM, which Planmeca positions as a single integrated workflow rather than separate systems.
• Interchangeable, autoclavable tips. Multiple tip sizes with a heated, autoclavable design to reduce fogging during scanning.
• Color scanning. Real-color capture to aid margin marking and communication.
• Open workflow. Planmeca positions Emerald scans for export/use in open restorative and orthodontic workflows.

Claims above are reproduced from Planmeca's published materials for transparency, not as 3DL endorsements. Confirm specifics against Planmeca's current documentation.

Regulatory & Availability

Intraoral scanners are regulated in the U.S. by the FDA as Class II medical devices. The Planmeca Emerald S is sold in the United States through major dental distributors (e.g., Patterson, Henry Schein), which requires a valid FDA 510(k) clearance. 3DL has not asserted a specific 510(k) number here; clinicians can verify the current U.S. clearance directly in the FDA's public 510(k) database, and confirm availability with Planmeca or an authorized reseller.

Software (Planmeca Romexis)

Emerald and Emerald S scans are captured into Planmeca Romexis, Planmeca's all-in-one software platform that also handles the company's imaging and CAD/CAM. Completed scans are stored in Romexis and immediately available for design, milling, or export to a lab. As with any digital-impression workflow, practices with strict data-residency or HIPAA Business Associate Agreement requirements should confirm Planmeca's data-handling and BAA terms before storing identifiable patient data.

Working With 3DL on a Planmeca Workflow

3DL accepts Planmeca Emerald / Emerald S scans through standard digital routes:

• Export from Planmeca Romexis — export the case and upload it through the doctor portal at 3dlmi.com.
• Standard mesh files — Emerald scans drop into 3DL's CAD workflow for crowns, bridges, and implant restorations.
• Implant cases — pair your Planmeca scan with 3DL component identification for custom abutments and full-arch design.

If you are evaluating a Planmeca scanner and want to talk through scanner-to-lab fit, call (248) 919-7929.