Align Technology and Desktop Metal Announce Collaboration
Align Technology - one of digital dentistry’s biggest players and manufacturer of the Invisalign system, iTero intraoral scanners, and exocad CAD/CAM software - has announced a strategic collaboration with Desktop Metal, one of the global leaders in manufacturing technologies for mass production.
The collaboration will see Align Technology supply iTero Element Flex intraoral scanners to Desktop Labs to help “connect general dentist locations with its growing network of premium full-service labs.”
The iTero Element Flex intraoral scanner will now be the exclusive restorative scanner for Desktop Labs - one of the largest lab networks in the United States that serves general dentists.
Align Technology’s president and CEO Joe Hogan had this to say in a press release: “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.”
“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.”
In the same press release, founder and CEO of Desktop Metal Ric Fulop had some interesting commentary on the future of digital dentistry.
“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.”
“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.”
It seems like it’s an exciting time to be a customer of both companies. It’s also encouraging to see such a widespread network of labs fully embrace the digital dentistry revolution.
What do you think about this collaboration? Let us know in the comments below.