By Luken De Arbeloa
⋅ 3 min read
⋅ Updated Dec, 2025
For 15 years, PIC dental has been the gold standard for getting that perfect passive fit in full-arch implant cases, thanks to their president and CEO, Adrian Hernández.
Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to interview Adrián. We spoke about the technical definition of photogrammetry and why PIC dental is still the gold standard – as well as the unexpected shift which saw them make their high-tech, specialized camera system available through a simple mobile phone application.
Read below or watch the interview to determine whether one of the three PIC dental form factors – or their mobile app – is the best fit for your dental practice.
Why did PIC dental decide to create a mobile platform?
PIC dental released the world’s first commercial dental photogrammetry solution in 2010.
And, for over a decade, they worked hard to show dentists that modelless treatments are better: they're faster, more predictable and save time. But all that educating created a problem:
The Problem: Other systems started using the word "photogrammetry" loosely or incorrectly, which became a source of confusion for doctors.
The Solution: PIC dental decided to "democratize the technology." As Adrian put it in our interview, it was time to put this "pocket photogrammetry" into everyone's hands.
While the decision to launch the Pocket system was fast, it took almost eight years of serious research to get the complex algorithms working perfectly on a smartphone.
Why is PIC dental the best way to guarantee accuracy?
PIC dental photogrammetry is more accurate than other scanning methods, including intraoral scanners (IOS), because the big picture is everything.
Photogrammetry is about measuring a code or a marker found in a photo. The picture you take must be bigger than the object you are measuring.
The object: In full-arch implant scanning, the object is the molar-to-molar distance.
The failure point for other systems: Only seeing small segments that must be stitched together. Trying to stitch those tiny pictures together over a long arch is what creates the inevitable inaccuracies and stitching errors. This is the core problem leading to poor passive fit in full-arch implant prostheses.
The PIC dental photogrammetry system eliminates this failure point through a patented process:
Smart Transfers: The unique PIC dental transfers (the specialized abutments) act as their own calibration points.
Instantaneous Capture: The system captures 60 pictures every second.
No Stitching Error: In every single frame, the system simultaneously sees all the markers across the entire arch. It instantly locks in the perfect spatial relationship, guaranteeing a flawless passive fit.
The new Pocket Photogrammetry system delivers the exact same accuracy and repeatability as their three forms: PIC system Gravity, PIC system, and PIC system Station.
In addition, PIC dental is currently the only company providing immediate measurements of angles and distances between implants, which supports informed decision-making during surgery and multi-unit selection for the final prosthesis.
The ultimate question: which PIC dental system is right for my dental office?
Choosing the right product for your dental office comes down to maximizing your photogrammetry ROI based on your practice volume: consider the volume of cases you do and the financial investment you want or are able to make.
If you're high-volume (700-800+ cases per year): Stick with PIC system Gravity, PIC system or PIC system Station. It’s the most productive and financially sound decision for a large clinic.
If you do fewer cases: Choose Pocket Photogrammetry. There is zero financial excuse now not to provide patients with the best-fitting prosthetics possible.
| Feature | PIC System | PIC App / Pocket Photogrammetry |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware | 3 form factors (PIC system Gravity, PIC system, and PIC system Station) | iPhone and PIC transfers |
| Time | < 1 second to capture | Around 1 minute to capture |
| Ideal User Profile | High-volume implant centers (high volume of full-arch implant scanning) | Lower-volume specialists, general dentists, or those testing the modelless treatment workflow |
| Financial Investment | Higher upfront investment (Full camera system purchase) | Pay-Per-Click (Per-case fee). Only requires a small kit and the app |
| Implant Volume Threshold | You are doing (700-800+) full-arch cases per year | You are doing fewer cases (e.g., just a few arches a year) |
| Best For | Maximum throughput and integrating into multiple surgery rooms | Maximum accessibility and simple, risk-free entry to the best implant accuracy technology |
Recent and upcoming launches
In April 2025, the company launched PIC cloud, which includes PIC app and PIC lab.
At the end of this year, they launched PIC Academy as well as special business models for DSOs.
There will be further innovations to come in 2026.
Want to take the next step for your workflow?
PIC dental’s move is a massive win for the entire dental community. They didn’t just upgrade a product; they championed the democratization of dental technology.
Ready to discuss how a photogrammetry workflow or other cutting-edge technology can revolutionize the profitability and predictability of your practice?
Click below to book a discovery call with our team and discuss the optimal technology investment for your unique patient volume.
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