Dolphin Imaging vs Open Dental Comparison: Reviews, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2026

Detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right solution for your team

Updated Apr 2026 8 min read

Dolphin Imaging

0.0 (0 reviews)

Dolphin Imaging provides specialized diagnostic and treatment planning software designed for orthodontists and maxillofacial surgeons to manage patient records, 3D imaging, and complex surgical simulations with high precision.

Starting at --
Free Trial NO FREE TRIAL
VS

Open Dental

0.0 (0 reviews)

Open Dental is a highly customizable practice management software providing dental offices with open-source database access to manage clinical charting, electronic prescriptions, and patient billing efficiently.

Starting at $175/mo
Free Trial 0 days

Quick Comparison

Feature Dolphin Imaging Open Dental
Website dolphinimaging.com opendental.com
Pricing Model Custom Subscription
Starting Price Custom Pricing $175/month
FREE Trial ✘ No free trial ✓ 0 days free trial
Free Plan ✘ No free plan ✘ No free plan
Product Demo ✓ Request demo here ✓ Request demo here
Deployment desktop cloud on-premise desktop mobile
Integrations Carestream Planmeca Sirona i-CAT Dexis Microsoft Office T-Scan CareCredit Change Healthcare DoseSpot Global Payments Mango Voice Modento Podium Weave
Target Users small-business mid-market small-business mid-market enterprise
Target Industries healthcare healthcare
Customer Count 0 0
Founded Year 1988 2003
Headquarters Chatsworth, USA Salem, USA

Overview

D

Dolphin Imaging

Dolphin Imaging helps you streamline your orthodontic or dental specialty practice by centralizing patient diagnostic data. You can capture, store, and manipulate 2D and 3D images, including photos, X-rays, and CBCT scans, within a single interface. The software allows you to perform precise cephalometric analysis and create visual treatment simulations to show patients their potential results.

You can also manage your entire patient workflow from initial consultation through final retention. By integrating with various hardware and practice management systems, the platform reduces manual data entry and ensures your clinical records are always accessible. It is designed specifically for specialists who require high-resolution imaging and detailed anatomical mapping for surgical or orthodontic planning.

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Open Dental

Open Dental gives you full control over your practice management with its unique open-source database structure. You can customize the software to fit your specific clinical workflows, whether you run a solo general practice or a large multi-specialty mobile clinic. It handles everything from complex treatment planning and 3D charting to appointment scheduling and automated text reminders, ensuring your front and back office stay synchronized.

You own your data completely, allowing you to run custom queries and reports that most locked-down platforms don't permit. The software is designed to reduce your overhead costs by offering a scalable monthly subscription that includes comprehensive technical support and regular updates. It solves the common frustration of rigid software by letting you choose your own hardware and third-party integrations.

Overview

D

Dolphin Imaging Features

  • Cephalometric Analysis Perform automatic or manual tracings using hundreds of built-in analyses to plan your orthodontic treatments accurately.
  • 3D Digital Models Create and manipulate digital study models to eliminate physical storage needs and improve your diagnostic capabilities.
  • Treatment Simulation Show your patients their projected post-treatment appearance with morphing tools that visualize orthodontic and surgical changes.
  • Dolphin 3D Process CBCT data to visualize airways, TMJ, and skeletal structures in three dimensions for complex surgical planning.
  • Letter System Generate customized reports and correspondence for referring doctors and patients using your existing clinical data automatically.
  • AnywhereCeph Access your clinical images and tracings from any web browser so you can review cases outside the office.
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Open Dental Features

  • Graphical Tooth Charting. Visualize patient oral health with 3D charting that tracks restorative work, periodontal measurements, and existing conditions.
  • Treatment Planning. Create multi-phased treatment plans for your patients and present clear cost estimates to improve case acceptance rates.
  • e-Prescribing. Send prescriptions electronically to pharmacies directly from the patient's chart to save time and improve clinical accuracy.
  • Appointment Module. Manage your daily schedule with color-coded blocks, drag-and-drop rescheduling, and real-time views of provider availability.
  • Custom Reporting. Run deep-dive queries on your practice data to track production, collections, and patient demographics without technical restrictions.
  • Mobile Web Tools. Access your schedule and patient contact information from your smartphone or tablet when you are away from the office.

Pricing Comparison

D

Dolphin Imaging Pricing

O

Open Dental Pricing

First 6 Months
$175
  • Full software access
  • Unlimited technical support
  • Software updates
  • Initial setup assistance
  • Conversion support available

Pros & Cons

M

Dolphin Imaging

Pros

  • Highly precise cephalometric tracing and analysis tools
  • Excellent 3D visualization for complex surgical cases
  • Integrates well with most major dental hardware
  • Professional patient presentations improve treatment acceptance rates

Cons

  • Significant learning curve for advanced 3D modules
  • Initial setup and hardware requirements are intensive
  • Customer support response times can vary occasionally
A

Open Dental

Pros

  • Unmatched customization options for clinical workflows
  • Direct access to your own database
  • Affordable flat-rate pricing for the entire office
  • Highly responsive and knowledgeable technical support

Cons

  • Initial setup requires a steeper learning curve
  • Interface looks dated compared to modern web apps
  • Requires manual server management for on-premise installs
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