For decades, the Planmeca brand has been internationally recognized by dentists and dental specialists for its high-quality dental imaging equipment. If you’re considering Planmeca for your next, or even first, CBCT system, you can feel confident you’re making a solid investment in a reputable brand.
But how do you get started? How can you know you’re getting the best value from your purchase?
To get a better understanding of what’s ahead, many doctors like to research and compare costs. After all, you want your purchase to provide the best return for your money. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find equipment pricing online, particularly with major investments like CBCT systems. Luckily, our team has years of experience selling Planmeca imaging equipment, from panoramic units to CBCT, so we have a good amount of insight as to what you should expect to pay for either a new or pre-owned system. .
In this article, we’ll outline the typical cost of a Planmeca CBCT machine along with some considerations that will impact the price. Plus, we’ll make some comparisons on size, features, and warranties in order for you to narrow down which option may be best for your practice.
Why Planmeca?
Here at Renew Digital, we’ve spent over 10 years focused on the business of dental imaging equipment, offering the top brands that provide the highest levels of versatility and functionality for dental and specialty practices. Planmeca is one of our most commonly requested brands due to its dependability, image quality and innovative features.
When considering a move to CBCT, our team will usually ask if you’re happy with your current digital panoramic system. Many doctors who are already using a Planmeca unit for panoramic imaging want to keep the same imaging software and workflow that they are already familiar with as they upgrade to CBCT. Obviously, we also meet doctors who are looking to change brands and will choose Planmeca because they’re looking for better imaging quality, more powerful software, or greater reliability and service.
If you’re shopping for a Planmeca CBCT, check out our short “Buyer’s Guide to Planmeca CBCT.” This video covers the features that make Planmeca competitive in the marketplace while comparing the most popular Planmeca CBCT models, including the Planmeca ProMax 3D.
Average Price of a New Planmeca CBCT
One of the first things we like to share with doctors looking to purchase CBCT is to be aware of the “list price.” Purchasing new dental equipment is a lot like buying a new car. There is a sticker price and there is the amount that you will actually pay. Often they are very different.
Like the MSRP for a car, the list price of a dental imaging system is set by the manufacturer according to the model and its features. Typically, this list price can be negotiated down.. Today, we’ll share the average price doctors paid for Planmeca CBCT to give you a realistic expectation.
CBCT machines, regardless of manufacturer, are typically classified into one of three FOV (field of view) categories: small, medium, and large. As the field of view increases, so does the cost of the machine and, just like buying a new car, other factors like optional features, upgradeability, and warranties will impact the list price.
Planmeca offers CBCT machines at a range of prices depending on the model you choose based upon your clinical needs. For example, a medium FOV Planmeca CBCT will typically have a final sale price between $75,000 and $100,000. Again, this ultimately varies by the features you select.
If you’re considering other brands beyond Planmeca for CBCT, you may also want to check out our article on: How Much Does a CBCT Machine Cost? This guide will help you understand the costs you can expect to pay for a CBCT system regardless of brand.
Considerations That Impact Cost
As previously mentioned, the cost of a Planmeca CBCT machine will vary based on a number of factors, including field of view, features, age, and exposure count (for used systems only). Let’s explore these considerations a bit further.
Field of view: As FOV increases, so will the cost of the machine. Size matters when discussing FOV, which refers to how much of the patient’s anatomy will be captured by the scan. The larger the FOV, the more data you will be responsible for interpreting. When shopping for a CBCT machine, we recommend selecting a machine with the smallest FOV for the clinical procedures your practice offers. Most CBCT machines will allow you to collimate the FOV (decreasing the radiation exposure) to only the anatomy required.
Features: The following features are available through most manufacturers.
- Cephalometric Attachment: Orthodontists using 3D imaging will likely also require cephalometric imaging. This may require an additional module or sensor which may increase the total cost.
All Planmeca CBCT machines can be fitted with or without a ceph, but even those designed without a ceph can be later upgraded to include one. If you see “ceph-upgradeable” listed as a feature, this means the unit can be fitted (by Planmeca) to capture cephalometric scans in the future.
Upgrade costs typically vary and can often be considerable. If this is the case it might make more sense to trade in your non-ceph CBCT machine towards the cost of a “new” pre-owned ceph-capable CBCT system to utilize a new warranty period. - Low Dosage Technology: CBCT manufacturers, like Planmeca, often differentiate their technology by offering low dosage technology, or LDT. Some LDT uses up to 5 times less radiation to capture 3D cone beam scans than would be used for traditional 2D panoramic X-rays.
- Rapid Scanning Protocols: Some machines offer a premium scanning protocol to optimize workflow with rapid scan and reconstruction times.
- Age and Exposure Count: For the pre-owned equipment we sell, you’ll see a “Starting at” price on our site. Our listed starting price is typically the lowest cost unit of that particular system that we currently have in stock.
The prices of our used dental imaging equipment vary according to age, amount of use, and the features of a unit. As can be expected, newer units typically command a slightly higher price than older units.
We also capture the exposure count of each dental X-ray machine or cone beam system upon purchase. Like a car’s odometer, the exposure count tells us how many times a system has been used for an exam. The lower the exposure count, the higher the price tends to be.
We also factor in age and exposure count in our considerations when purchasing or trading in a system.
For a full summary of our pricing, please see our FAQ article: What Does the “Starting at” Price Mean on Your Website?
Warranty, financing and other considerations
Your investment in a Planmeca CBCT technology is significant. You’ll want to make sure your system is protected as long as possible. Purchasing a reputable brand from a trustworthy dealer can help ensure you’ll have access to the level of support you need, as frequently as you need it.
At Renew Digital, we understand that purchasing pre-owned equipment is similar to a used car - you want to make sure your equipment can function well for your practice in the long term. This is why all of our equipment purchases are backed by a comprehensive warranty, including telephone and remote support, onsite service and replacement parts, covered by our 5-star customer service team.
For a comprehensive list of what is covered under a Renew Digital warranty, please see our FAQ help article: What Is Included in the Comprehensive Warranty?
Finally, as you’re preparing to purchase, you should make sure you’re aware of the financial offers and incentives available from the dealers you’re working with. Oftentimes, they can provide referrals to financial institutions they work with and offer exclusive incentives. At Renew Digital, we’ve been known to offer special financing and payment options.
Ready to Get Started? Reach Out!
Making the investment in advanced technology requires careful consideration and planning. You want to be sure you’re getting the best value and making the right decision for your practice. For over 10 years, Renew Digital has helped our customers save money on their CBCT machines by purchasing certified pre-owned systems.
With our brand-neutral approach, we can recommend the right system for your practice based on your unique imaging needs, whether you stick with Planmeca or find another brand or model that favorably compares.
Start your CBCT machine purchase plan with a call to our sales reps at 888-246-5611 or complete an online form.
