The Ongoing Debate Over New vs. Used Dental Equipment

Written by Frank Tagye | January 8, 2024

Looking into the new year, dental practices are going to have countless options when shopping for dental equipment. Lately, it feels like the options are never-ending, based on what you’ll see at dental conferences, courses, webinars, and online.

To get the best value, not just price, doctors are going to need transparent information from the dealers they choose to do business with.

Over the past decade, used dental equipment has emerged as a popular option for doctors seeking cost-savings. Typically in controlled environments, and well maintained, dental equipment such as dental X-ray machines can maintain their value, and be useful to another doctor down the road.

This is even more particularly true for technology such as dental X-ray/imaging equipment, because the technology itself was fairly comparable to the technology available today, even in dental cone beam systems!

Plus, with more reputable used dealers - like us here at Renew Digital - you can often find the high quality equipment you’re looking for at a fraction of the cost. Customers choose us when they find we save doctors we work with 30-50% off new list prices.. With warranty, installation, training and support all available to you and included with your purchase.

So, when is used dental imaging equipment right for me? What are some other considerations to think about when comparing to new? These are some of the items we’ll address in this post.

Who Buys Used Dental Imaging Equipment?

Dental professionals could want to buy used imaging equipment for a variety of reasons and in different stages of their careers. Here are just a few of the most common types of customers that purchase used dental equipment.

Graduating Dentists: Dental students are graduating with more debt than ever. By purchasing used, they can help off-set costs in their practice.
Adding Locations: DSO practices and other expanding practices can find some cost-savings with used equipment. This is particularly helpful when you can find the same brands/models as current offices to alleviate additional staff training.
Replacing Damaged Equipment: If expensive dental equipment breaks unexpectedly or succumbs to environmental damage such as power surges or water damage, dentists may not be prepared to replace this pricey equipment immediately.
Transitioning to Cone Beam: Before investing a lot of time and money into a new CBCT machine, many practitioners ease their way into this new technology.
Retiring Dentists: Established dental practices are a valuable commodity. So, those retiring practitioners do their best to make their practices as appealing as possible to these tech-savvy graduates by upgrading to newer pre-owned dental equipment at a reasonable price.

For continued reading on this topic, check out our complete article: Who Buys Used Dental Equipment for Sale?

Comparing Features, Warranty & Service

Now, let’s move onto another consideration that will impact your overall value.. The user experience. Are you sacrificing desirable features, warranty and service by saving on cost?

Well, at least with Renew Digital, you can be sure you’re not making any such sacrifice! Don’t just take our word for it, we have over 350 5-Star Google reviews from satisfied customers - from over the course of 10+ years in the used dental imaging business.

Features on a Used Dental X-Ray: Almost like car companies, many dental imaging manufacturers make tiny upgrades and release new models of their equipment semi-annually.

Other times, such as with i-CAT, they’ll evolve the entire product and release a new generation - like the i-CAT FLX V-Series from the i-CAT Next Generation. Oftentimes, the differences between these two generations is minute - with subtle usability changes to make a splash in dental conferences, etc.

In this particular case, the overall look and design was similar in both editions, with a new Ultra Low Dose and other desirable features loaded into the latest generation, the i-CAT FLX.

So, when you’re buying used imaging equipment, ranging from 4-8 years old, you may find that the model/edition is comparable if not the same as the latest model.

Comparing Warranties & Service: This piece will vary greatly case by case. If you’re working with us here at Renew, we can provide you with a tremendous piece of mind that you’re getting a quality certified pre-owned machine - backed by 5-Star customer service for the long-term.

We provide comprehensive parts and labor warranty, which we are able to provide with manufacturer relationships and parts on-hand.. So no stress we won’t be able to deliver on this promise! Plus, we have technicians across the country, trained in installing and removing dental imaging equipment to help when our 24/7 customer help desk is unable (which they almost always are!)

So, New vs. Used Dental Equipment: Which Will You Choose?

Interested in the prospect of saving 30-50% without compromising or leaving value on the table? We’re here to help! We have a wide inventory of certified pre-owned pan, pan/ceph, CBCT and intraoral scanners to choose from - all from the brands doctors trust most.

Plus, when you consider Section 179 savings is still applicable on used dental imaging equipment.. As well as we can often speak to you about a trade-in value of your current equipment, your costs can be even further offset!

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