DC-Air™: The Wireless Intraoral Sensor for Direct-Conversion Digital Radiography
Captured, Not Synthesized.
DC-Air™ is dentistry's first and only Bluetooth® wireless, direct-conversion intraoral sensor for digital radiography. X-ray photons convert straight to signal: no scintillator, no sharpening filters, and no cable out of your patient's mouth.
- Top Award Winner · Dental Advisor 2024
- Best Product · Dental Product Shopper
Installation, integration, training & expert support included, since 2003.View the brochure (PDF)
Zoom in. See the true image accuracy.
- 22 clinical DC-Air™ captures at native resolution, straight off the sensor
- Brightness and contrast only
- AccuSharp™ artifact-free sharpening when desired
Prefer to watch it in action? See the DC-Air™ video library →
This capture didn’t load.
Control or command scroll, or pinch, to zoom; drag to pan when zoomed in. At the default fit view the image is fixed. Keyboard: plus and minus keys zoom, arrow keys pan, Home resets the view, left and right bracket keys switch cases. The Invert button toggles a grayscale inversion. The Brightness, Contrast, and AccuSharp buttons each open their own slider.
AccuSharp™ is built into every DC-Air™ TWAIN driver. For offices that want a touch of post-processing sharpening, it adds one without introducing artifacts. Every capture here starts unsharpened (captured, not synthesized) until you turn AccuSharp up.
▸ Anterior periapical
Periapicals
Bitewings
Endodontic
Implants
The Diagnostic Truth Series: seven posts, one argument for a truthful image.
From "the watch" to what a sharper image is actually worth over five years: the full case for direct conversion, in order.
End the Watch
Why “let's keep an eye on it” is a diagnosis a blurry image can't back up.
Read the post →Part 2 of 7Garbage In, Garbage Out
Your AI software is only as accurate as the sensor feeding it.
Read the post →Part 3 of 7Digital Film Is Back
The sensor that brought back the detail dentistry traded away for convenience.
Read the post →Part 4 of 7MTF = ROI
What a sharper image is actually worth, in dollars, not just in diagnosis.
Read the post →Part 5 of 7The Sensor That Watches Itself
A live dashboard, proactive alerts, and KPI reports: the sensor becomes a system.
Read the post →Part 6 of 7The Dial Is Lying to You
34 years selling X-ray systems taught me the exposure setting isn't the dose.
Read the post →Part 7 of 7Cheap Now, Expensive Later
The true 5-year cost of ownership: cable repairs, downtime, and what you never see.
Read the post →More on the DC-Air™
What Actually Changed in 20 Years of Wireless Sensors
Why the first wireless sensors were bulky, and what had to change before cordless was worth having.
Read the post →What Direct Conversion Changes
The plain-English version: how the DC-Air™ captures, what it costs over five years, and who it suits.
Read the post →The Real Cost of a Wired Sensor
Cable repairs, downtime, and the replacement cycle nobody quotes you up front.
Read the post →Size 1 vs Size 2: Which Sensor Fits
Choosing a sensor footprint for your patients, and why DC-Air™ ships as a Size 2.
Read the post →Serving dentistry since 2003
Installation, training & expert support included
Don’t take our word for it. Take theirs.
Top Award Winner · Dental Advisor 2024
Annual clinical product awards
Best Product · Dental Product Shopper
Clinician evaluation score 4.6 / 5
Three problems every operatory knows. One sensor built to remove them.
No more cables
The cable is the number-one failure point on conventional sensors, so DC-Air™ eliminates it. Bluetooth® Low Energy carries every capture about 3 m to your PC, and with nothing dragging the sensor out of position, FTG reports up to 40% fewer retakes.
No more fragile layers
No scintillator, no fiber-optic plate: the delicate layers that make conventional scintillator sensors expensive to break. Just one single-crystal silicon detector in an IP67-sealed body that shrugs off wipe-downs.
No more synthesized detail
Conventional sensors convert X-rays to light, light to signal, then sharpen the blur away in software just to look acceptable. DC-Air™ converts photons directly to charge, so there is no blur to fix: every capture starts with brightness and contrast only, no manufacturer sharpening filters applied.
See the difference direct conversion makes
The same exposure, two technologies. Drag the divider to compare a conventional scintillator sensor with DC-Air™'s direct-conversion image.
Nothing between the photon and the diagnosis
Conventional scintillator sensors never see the X-ray at all. A scintillator layer converts it to visible light, the light spreads sideways through a fiber-optic plate, and only then does silicon record it, blurred by every step, then patched up with manufacturer sharpening filters.
DC-Air™'s single-crystal direct-conversion silicon CMOS converts each photon directly to charge at the exact point where it lands. No scintillator. No fiber-optic plate. No blur to fix, so no manufacturer sharpening filters. Every capture starts with brightness and contrast adjustment only. Captured, not synthesized.
- 5 lp/mm
- >70%
- 10 lp/mm
- >40%
In FTG’s published MTF testing. MTF measures how much of the original contrast survives at each level of fine detail. Higher means sharper, straight off the detector.
Position it any way the anatomy demands
With no cable dictating orientation, DC-Air™ captures in distal or mesial orientation, a full 360° of placement freedom. Zero Profile® holders clip directly to the back of the sensor and add no bulk, so nothing extra goes in the mouth.
Drag to turn the sensor in any direction. Arrow keys rotate it; Home resets the view.
Zero Profile® holders, color-coded for every workflow
Every complete kit includes the complete Zero Profile® holder kit. Refill 3-packs are available in every color. Grab the one your procedure calls for.
Bitewing
Red · refill 3-packs available
Anterior
Blue · refill 3-packs available
Posterior
Yellow · refill 3-packs available
Endodontic
Clear · refill 3-packs available
The complete set
All four holder types plus positioning rings, included with every DC-Air™ complete kit, with 3-pack refills available whenever you need them.
Learn to use DC-Air™ in Zero Profile® holders
Dr. Robert Sachs, who invented the Zero Profile® holder system, shows you how to assemble all five holders and then how to take the shots chairside: upper and lower anteriors, difficult third molars, small mouths, and the cotton-roll technique that makes lower posteriors tolerable. Fifteen short videos, each with written steps and a full transcript.
DC-Air™ specifications
| Sensor size | Size 2 |
|---|---|
| Active area | 35.1 × 24.7 mm |
| Pixel pitch | 26 µm |
| Resolution | 1,249,920 pixels · 12-bit |
| MTF | >70% @ 5 lp/mm · >40% @ 10 lp/mm, in FTG’s published MTF testing |
| Detector | Single-crystal direct-conversion silicon CMOS, no scintillator, no fiber-optic plate |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth® Low Energy · ~3 m range · auto-triggers on exposure · 4 MB onboard buffer |
| Exposure range | 0.08–1 s @ 65–70 kV, 2–10 mA |
| Battery | 150+ radiographs per charge · recharges in under 1 minute on the dock · 19 mAh Li-Ion |
| Durability | IP67-sealed body |
| Positioning | 360°, distal or mesial orientation with Zero Profile® holders |
| In the kit | Sensor · docking station · USB-C cable · Zero Profile® complete holder kit · TWAIN license (one network, unlimited PCs) · 2-year warranty |
DC-Air™ is manufactured byFreedom Technologies Group ↗
The complete kit is $6,995
The complete DC-Air™ kit includes the sensor, charging dock, USB-C cable, Zero Profile® holder kit, and TWAIN license for one network with unlimited PCs.
What the complete kit includes
- DC-Air™ wireless sensorIncluded
- Docking stationIncluded
- Zero Profile® complete holder kit · refill 3-packs availableIncluded
- USB-C cableIncluded
- TWAIN license · one network, unlimited PCsIncluded
- 2-year manufacturer warrantyIncluded
- Professional installation · Dental TI teamIncluded
- Imaging software integrationIncluded
- Remote team trainingIncluded
- Expert support · remote first, a phone call awayIncluded
Special complete-kit pricing. Sales tax excluded.
Run your 5-year cost of ownership →
Every DC-Air™ ships new from Freedom Technologies Group in 1–2 days, never refurbished or demo stock, with our team handling setup and integration remotely.
Installation, software integration, team training, expert support, and a two-year manufacturer warranty are included. An optional protection plan is available separately for loss or accidental damage.
Financing available: pay over time with Affirm
Excluding sales tax · Shipping & return policy
See how it fits your practice.
Tell us which imaging software you use. We'll confirm the integration and help you evaluate the $6,995 complete kit.
Works with the software you already run
Native integration with the major imaging platforms, and a TWAIN license covering one network with unlimited PCs for everything else.
- Open Dental
- Dentrix
- Dentrix Ascend
- Eaglesoft
- XDR
- DEXIS
- Apteryx
- Curve
- + 9 more via TWAIN
Want one imaging suite across every operatory?Pair DC-Air™ with CADI Advanced Imaging →
DC-Air™ questions, answered
What does the DC-Air™ complete kit cost?
DC-Air™ Complete Kit is $6,995. The complete DC-Air™ kit includes the sensor, charging dock, USB-C cable, Zero Profile® holder kit, and TWAIN license for one network with unlimited PCs. Installation, software integration, team training, expert support, and a two-year manufacturer warranty are included. Special complete-kit pricing. Sales tax excluded.
Does DC-Air™ integrate with my existing imaging software?
Yes. DC-Air™ includes a TWAIN license covering one network with unlimited PCs, plus native integration with Open Dental, Dentrix, Dentrix Ascend, Eaglesoft, XDR, DEXIS, Apteryx, Curve, and 9+ more. Dental TI handles the integration as part of every installation. If you’re unsure about yours, ask during your demo and we’ll confirm before you buy.
How long does the battery last?
DC-Air™ captures 150+ radiographs per charge, comfortably more than a full clinical day for most operatories, and recharges in under 1 minute on its docking station, so a between-patient top-up is all it ever needs.
Is DC-Air™ actually cordless, or does it still connect with a cable?
Fully cordless. DC-Air™ connects to your PC over Bluetooth® Low Energy, with no cable at any point during capture. Nothing tethers the sensor while you position it or shoot. Some sensors marketed as "wireless" or "smart" still run a USB cable from the sensor to the PC; when comparing options, ask specifically whether the sensor itself is cordless during the exposure, not just whether the product is described as wireless.
How reliable is a wireless sensor during an exposure?
DC-Air™ connects over Bluetooth® Low Energy with roughly 3 m of range, auto-triggers the moment it detects the exposure, and holds captures in a 4 MB onboard buffer, so an image is never lost waiting on the connection.
How is infection control handled on a wireless sensor?
Standard barrier sleeves, exactly like any intraoral sensor. The body is IP67-sealed, so it stands up to wipe-downs between patients, and Zero Profile® holders clip to the back of the sensor without changing your protocol.
Will it actually reduce retakes?
FTG reports up to 40% fewer retakes with DC-Air™. With no cable to drag the sensor out of position and 360° distal or mesial placement with Zero Profile® holders, the sensor stays where you put it.
Are the images sharpened or filtered?
No manufacturer sharpening filters: every DC-Air™ capture starts exactly as the sensor recorded it. FTG’s framing: captured, not synthesized. Brightness and contrast in our on-page viewer are standard display-side window leveling and never touch the capture itself. If your office wants a touch of post-processing sharpening, AccuSharp™ is available, off by default, and built into the DC-Air™ TWAIN driver as well as demonstrated in this gallery.
What warranty and support come with it?
Every DC-Air™ includes FTG’s 2-year manufacturer warranty. From Dental TI it also comes with installation, software integration, remote team training, and expert support that is a phone call away.
Is there a protection plan for DC-Air™?
Yes. The FTG Protection Plan can start from day one of ownership and run for up to five years. It’s $89/month per sensor and covers a capped $850 replacement if a sensor is lost, damaged, or fails outside the two-year manufacturer’s warranty. Add WatchDog™, the sensor tracking and monitoring dashboard, for $10/month per sensor on top of that, capped at your first 4 sensors, so a 5th sensor and beyond cost no extra for WatchDog. Don’t have or want the Protection Plan? WatchDog also runs on its own for a flat $49/month for the whole practice.
Can I buy DC-Air™ directly from Freedom Technologies Group instead of Dental TI?
Yes. FTG sells directly as the manufacturer. Most practices choose Dental TI instead because the sensor is only one part of getting it running well: we handle installation, integrate it with your specific imaging software, train your team, and stay your single point of contact for support afterward, the same team that has handled installs across CBCT, panoramic, and intraoral equipment since 2003. If you already run other equipment through Dental TI, DC-Air™ folds into that same relationship and financing instead of starting a new one.
What should I include when comparing sensor prices?
Compare the complete setup your practice needs: sensor, dock or connection hardware, holders, software license, installation, integration, training, and warranty. The DC-Air™ complete kit is $6,995. Installation, software integration, team training, expert support, and a two-year manufacturer warranty are included. Financing and optional protection plans are available separately; ask about current terms.
What do replacement holders cost?
Zero Profile® holders are color-coded: Bitewing red, Anterior blue, Posterior yellow, Endodontic clear. Refill 3-packs are available; call for current pricing. The complete kit ships with the full holder set.
How does the DC-Air™ acquisition workflow work in my imaging software?
Dock the sensor in the room you want to use it in, select DC-Air™ as your imaging source, and pick the desired layout in your software. The TWAIN opens and shows sensor status: blue for docked, yellow while it initializes, green when it’s ready to shoot. Pick the sensor up, position it, and capture; the image downloads with a live progress indicator and drops into your template automatically.
What is Endo mode, and when should I use it?
Endo mode is a setting in the DC-Air™ TWAIN that turns off the sensor’s automatic sleep and battery-save behavior, keeping it active and ready during longer procedures like endodontics where you’re taking several captures over an extended chair time. Toggle it while the sensor is in the docking station.
See full WatchDog™ & Protection Plan details →
The Dental TI Standard
Included with every system. Equipment is half the purchase; the other half is the team standing behind it.
- 01
Install
DC-Air™ ships direct to your practice in 1–2 days. Our team handles setup and integration remotely, so there is no visit to schedule.
- 02
Integrate
We wire imaging into your practice software and workflow so day one feels like day one hundred.
- 03
Train
Remote team training is included with every DC-Air™, scheduled around your patients, so everyone who shoots radiographs knows the workflow before the first appointment.
- 04
Support
Expert support is a phone call away. Most issues are resolved remotely within minutes, which means less downtime and no waiting on a service visit. We’ve answered that call since 2003.
Ready to see DC-Air™ in your operatory?
Book a live demo, or talk to a real imaging expert about whether direct conversion is right for your practice.