Align and Desktop Metal announce strategic partnership

Align Technology has announced a partnership with Desktop Metal to bring its iTero Element™ Flex intraoral scanners to Desktop Labs.

This will make the intraoral scanner exclusive for Desktop Labs, said to offer high-quality design and manufacturing solutions for general practitioners. At present, the Einstein™ series of dental 3D printers, Flexcera™ materials, and a handful of other systems are compatible with the iTero Element Flex intraoral scanner.

More integrated workflow

According to a press release from the companies, clinicians can also send restorative STL files directly to the Desktop dental lab.

Desktop technologies such as the Einstein™ series of dental 3D printers, Flexcera™ materials, and other systems are a few of the solutions that will now pair with the iTero Element Flex intraoral scanner.

“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 office,” said Joe Hogan, Align president and CEO.

Invisalign and exocad benefits available to Desktop Labs users

“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.”

“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.

Just the beginning

“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.”

Desktop Labs offer design and manufacturing solutions for general practitioners. Both Desktop Labs and Desktop Health are wholly owned subsidiaries of Desktop Metal.

About Align Technology, Inc.

Align Technology designs and manufactures the Invisalign system, iTero™ intraoral scanners and services, and exocad™ CAD/CAM software. Over the past 25 years, Align said it has helped doctors treat 14 million patients with the Invisalign system.

It also facilitates the use of digital dentistry through the Align Digital Platform™, an integrated suite of proprietary technologies and services delivered as an end-to-end solution for patients and consumers, orthodontists and GP dentists, and lab/partners.

About Desktop Metal

Founded in 2015, Desktop Metal, Inc., develops 3D printing solutions, from rapid prototyping to mass production. The technology company was named to MIT Technology Review’s list of 50 Smartest Companies.