A cloud alternative to traditional ortho imaging suites
Dolphin Imaging, OrthoTrac, and similar desktop suites are deep, established platforms — and for many practices, more platform than the job requires. If what you need is clinical ortho records — photos, ceph analysis, proposals, case tracking — in the browser, alongside the PMS you already run, that's the job OrthoRecords was built for.
How the approaches compare
| Category | Traditional desktop suites | OrthoRecords |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Installed on office servers and workstations; IT setup and upgrades | Cloud — runs in the browser on any device, nothing to install |
| Photo capture | Tethered DSLR / workstation import workflows | DSLR, iPad, or any office phone via QR code — guided position by position |
| Ceph analysis | Manual or semi-automated tracing modules | AI-suggested landmarks with doctor verification; measurements auto-calculate |
| Case acceptance | Printed packets or in-office presentation modules | Secure link; patient accepts digitally from any device, timestamped |
| Works with your PMS | Typically sold as its own management suite | Runs alongside your PMS; automatic Open Dental sync built in |
| AI in the workflow | Limited or none in legacy versions | AI ceph tracing, AI second opinion, AI case review |
| Pricing model | License + maintenance, often per workstation | Subscription with free trial; no per-workstation licensing |
Characterizations of traditional suites are generalized from publicly available product information as of June 2026 and may not reflect every product, edition, or recent release. Dolphin Imaging and OrthoTrac are trademarks of their respective owners; OrthoRecords is not affiliated with them. Verify current capabilities with each vendor.
Where the established suites are strongest — enterprise practice management, 3D/CBCT modules, patient education libraries — OrthoRecords intentionally doesn't compete. It focuses on the clinical record: photos, ceph analysis, proposals, and case tracking.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good alternative to Dolphin Imaging for a smaller practice?
Dolphin is a comprehensive enterprise suite — imaging, management, and education modules sold and installed as significant infrastructure. Practices that primarily need clinical ortho records (photo series, ceph tracing, proposals, and case tracking) without enterprise installation and per-seat licensing often fit better with a cloud product like OrthoRecords: browser-based, no server, running alongside the practice management system they already own.
What's the difference between desktop and cloud orthodontic software?
Desktop suites install on office servers and workstations: powerful, but they require IT setup, version upgrades, and per-workstation licensing, and remote access is an add-on. Cloud software runs in the browser on any device with nothing to install, updates continuously, and includes capture from phones and tablets naturally. For photo-heavy orthodontic workflows, capture-from-any-device is usually the deciding difference.
Can OrthoRecords replace a practice management system like OrthoTrac or Dolphin Management?
No — and it doesn't try to. OrthoRecords is the clinical orthodontic layer: records, imaging, analysis, proposals, and case tracking. Scheduling and billing stay in your existing PMS. Practices on Open Dental get automatic syncing; the result is specialist-grade ortho records without replacing the system your front desk already knows.
Does OrthoRecords include AI features that older suites lack?
Yes — AI-assisted cephalometric landmark placement with doctor verification, an AI second opinion that reviews the full case record before a proposal is sent, and AI case review that cross-checks diagnosis, ceph findings, and the proposed plan. Traditional desktop suites largely predate these capabilities.
See if the lighter approach fits your practice
Free trial available. No credit card required to start.