TEMPE, Ariz. & BOSTON/November 3, 2022 — Align Technology, Inc. and Desktop Metal, Inc. announced a strategic collaboration to supply iTero Element™ Flex intraoral scanners to Desktop Labs so it can connect general dentist locations with its growing network of premium full-service labs.
The iTero Element Flex intraoral scanner will be the exclusive restorative scanner for Desktop Labs, which is already one of the largest lab networks in the United States, serving general dentists.
The iTero Element™ Flex intraoral scanner gives doctors increased mobility and freedom to provide care anywhere they see patients. The wand-only configuration puts the power of iTero Element™ technology directly in the doctor’s hands, so they can perform full arch scans in even the smallest office. Vibrant color scanning and visualization facilitates quicker clinical evaluations and impressive chairside consultations with patients. The iTero Flex scanner also enables doctors to work more efficiently with dental labs, sending restorative STL files directly to the lab or export them from the iTero cloud, all without leaving the office.
Desktop Labs provides high-quality digital design and manufacturing solutions to GP dentists through its trusted community of labs, such as DAL, using various state-of-the-art technologies, including Desktop Health 3D printers and materials. Desktop Labs uses Einstein™ 3D printers and Flexcera™, a family of FDA 510(k)-cleared Class 2 materials for the fabrication of permanent dental restorations. Both Desktop Labs and Desktop Health are wholly owned subsidiaries of Desktop Metal.
“We’re excited for the opportunity to bring the benefits of the iTero Element Flex scanner to Desktop Labs’ installed base of GP dentists across the U.S.,” said Joe Hogan, Align president and CEO. “Today’s announcement reflects our commitment to a relationship that we expect will evolve and broaden as we collaborate with Desktop Labs to bring advanced restorative workflows to market. We see great potential in enabling dentists to scan patients and then use the scan data to directly order restorative services or print-ready digital files from Desktop Labs that can be 3D printed in their offices. In addition to iTero scanners, we’re also excited about extending the benefits of the Align Digital Platform, including the Invisalign system and exocad software, to Desktop Labs customers. We look forward to sharing more details on our progress as the relationship grows.”
“Desktop Metal stands ready with Align to help dentists deliver precise, durable dental solutions to patients faster,” said Ric Fulop, founder and CEO of Desktop Metal. “We expect all restorative components to move to digital manufacturing within the next decade, enabled by better material properties and an improved fit, as well as expansion of insurance coverage to digital solutions. Offerings such as Desktop Health’s Flexcera™ resins are just the beginning of the innovations being enabled by rapid, customized mass production through premium 3D printing tools such as the Desktop Health Einstein™ printer.”
“Our strategic collaboration with Align will help accelerate adoption of digital dentistry and take it to a new level by offering the dental industry a seamless solution for digital restorations using the iTero Element Flex to connect dentists to our Desktop Labs network serving general practices,” said Lou Azzara, president of Desktop Labs. “We look forward to working with Align on ways to improve the standard of care in the dental market, and we welcome dentists to join our cutting-edge digital dentistry community.”
