Dental System Upgrade from Older Versions - Things to Consider

If required, you can upgrade directly from an older version of Dental System (e.g., DS 2019) to the latest Dental System release (e.g., DS 2024). 

However, to ensure a smooth and successful transition, there are several important considerations to keep in mind:

1. Complete Existing Orders

Before upgrading:

• Make sure all designs and orders created in your current version are finalized. This avoids compatibility issues and eliminates the need for potential downgrades.
• After upgrading to e.g. DS 2024, you can still work with Dental Designer versions 2023 and 2022, as Dental System supports 2 previous Dental Designer versions. Thus, designs from Dental Designer 2021 and earlier will no longer be compatible.

2. Database Compatibility

• MS SQL 2005 is not supported in DS 2024 (starting from 24.1.0 version). If your Dental System has an SQL 2005 database, you will see a corresponding message informing you that an SQL 2005 database is present. This warning message was implemented in patch DS 24.1.1, so try to install the latest patch release, in case you are planning an update:

• You must upgrade your database to MS SQL 2017 or newer before proceeding with the Dental System upgrade.

When is it Best to consider a Step-By-Step Upgrade (no higher than a specific version or not to the latest release).

In some cases, a step-by-step upgrade may be more appropriate:

1) Unfinished Orders that are not covered by Dental System backwards compatibility.

• If your lab has a large number of active or incomplete orders in an older Dental System version not covered by backwards compatibility, consider upgrading in stages. For example: Upgrade from Dental System 2020 to Dental System 2022, then after a transition period, move to Dental System 2024. This approach helps maintain workflow continuity and minimizes disruption. Transition period implies, in this case, that you do not have any unfinished orders on a no longer supported version (e.g. no unfinished orders designed on DS2021 - system can be updated to DS 2024). Be sure to close such orders before considering further upgrades.

2) Older Hardware

• Older versions of DS may run on legacy PCs that don't meet the hardware system requirements applicable for a newer version.
• Before upgrading, ensure your hardware is compatible with the new version's System Requirements.
• For Lab scanner's compatibility with different Dental System versions, refer to this article.