DentIQ Plan Free — entry-level digital planning tool for dental treatment
Context
DentIQ Plan Free is the lightweight version of the DentIQ planning suite, built for clinicians who want a practical way to explore treatment scenarios, case documentation, and patient communication without investing in the full commercial platform. It is oriented toward everyday dental practices and teaching environments where CBCT, 3D scans, and treatment simulations are becoming standard. The Free edition strips away advanced surgical modules but keeps the essentials: 3D visualization, measurements, and simple case planning. This balance makes it especially attractive for small clinics, students, and continuing education programs.
Technical Profile
| Area | Details |
| Platform | Windows application, runs on mid-range workstations with GPU support. |
| Dental focus | Case planning, implant positioning (basic), orthodontic visualization, patient presentations. |
| Core modules | 3D viewer, simple simulation tools, measurement and annotation, reporting. |
| Interop | Imports STL, PLY, OBJ, DICOM datasets; export limited in Free edition. |
| Imaging | Handles 3D dental scans and CBCT volumes; provides slice navigation and panoramic reconstructions. |
| Security | Local case storage; anonymization option for teaching and research use. |
| Multisite | Designed for single-clinic or classroom use; full editions include cloud and collaboration. |
| Backup/DR | Depends on manual file/database backup; no enterprise archiving built in. |
| Licensing | Free version with feature caps; commercial upgrades unlock advanced planning. |
Scenarios (dental-specific)
– A general dental clinic uses DentIQ Plan Free to show patients visualizations of treatment plans, making communication easier.
– A teaching institution installs it on lab PCs, giving students access to 3D datasets and allowing them to practice implant positioning and orthodontic assessments.
– A training course provides DentIQ Plan Free as a hands-on tool, letting attendees test measurements and simulate basic treatment outcomes.
Workflow (admin view)
1. Install on Windows workstation with adequate GPU resources.
2. Set up case directories and enable secure backups.
3. Import 3D datasets from scanners or CBCT systems.
4. Train staff or students in using measurement and planning modules.
5. Use built-in reporting to generate case documentation or printouts.
6. Apply anonymization before sharing data in classrooms or external training.
7. Consider migration to paid editions for surgical planning and multi-site integration.
Strengths / Weak Points
Strengths
– Free entry point into 3D treatment planning.
– Supports common dental imaging formats (STL, DICOM).
– Good for education, basic implant assessment, and patient communication.
– Lower system requirements than full DentIQ suite.
Weak Points
– Feature-limited compared to paid editions.
– No enterprise archiving or collaboration tools.
– 3D planning restricted; advanced implant workflows require upgrade.
– Export options capped in Free version.
Why It Matters
As dental practices shift to digital treatment planning, even smaller clinics need tools for basic visualization and communication. DentIQ Plan Free lowers the barrier: it gives professionals and students a way to view, measure, and explain treatment options without major cost. While advanced surgical functions are reserved for commercial versions, the Free edition still delivers enough value to justify its place in classrooms and small practices looking to take their first steps into 3D dentistry.
