Which Intraoral Scanners Are Compatible with Invisalign?

Choosing an intraoral scanner compatible with Invisalign is one of the more confusing decisions in modern dental practice. Align Technology accepts only a small number of scanners for digital case submission, and some of the most popular models on the market right now don't make the cut. Here's what the accepted list actually looks like – and where several well-known options fall short.

TL;DR

• In the US, only three scanner families are accepted for digital Invisalign case submissions: the iTero line (Align's own), the Solventum True Definition, and the CEREC Omnicam

• Medit, Primescan, and all TRIOS models are not accepted for Invisalign in the US, despite being widely used, high-performing scanners

• iTero scanners unlock exclusive Invisalign tools, outcome simulation, progress tracking, and ClinCheck integration, that third-party scanners cannot access

• If your scanner isn't on the accepted list, physical PVS impressions remain a fully valid Invisalign submission pathway

How Align Technology Decides Which Scanners Are Accepted

Align Technology offers two ways for providers to submit Invisalign cases: physical impressions using polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) material with Align's provided trays, or a digital scan from a qualified scanner. For a third-party device to qualify, it must pass through a formal interoperability process that Align defines and manages.

Align publishes and maintains an official third-party scanner interoperability document on its website, listing every scanner currently cleared for digital Invisalign case submission. This list is subject to change when interoperability agreements are established or terminated – sometimes with minimal notice, as US dentists using TRIOS scanners discovered in January 2018.

Before making any scanner purchase with Invisalign compatibility in mind, reviewing that document directly is the only reliable way to confirm the current status. Third-party websites, including some well-ranked ones, sometimes publish inaccurate or outdated compatibility claims, particularly around models like the TRIOS 5 and Primescan.

The iTero Line: Align's Own Scanner and the Deepest Invisalign Integration

The iTero scanners are manufactured and sold by Align Technology – the same company behind Invisalign. This means every iTero model has native, end-to-end integration with the Invisalign workflow and a range of planning tools that are exclusive to iTero users.

The iTero Lumina

The iTero Lumina launched in February 2024 and is Align's current flagship scanner. It uses proprietary Multi-Direct Capture technology, which captures from multiple angles simultaneously, resulting in a 3x wider field of capture compared to the iTero Element 5D. The wand itself is 50% smaller and 45% lighter than its predecessor – a meaningful difference during longer scan sessions.

In bench testing conducted by Align in June 2024 per the ADA/ANSI 132 standard, the iTero Lumina outperformed all four comparison scanners, including the TRIOS 5, Medit i700, CS3800, and Allied Star – with total error ranging 0.11% to 0.46% lower across the board.

For Invisalign providers, the Lumina delivers several tools that third-party scanners cannot access:

• Invisalign Outcome Simulator Pro with in-face smile visualization

• Multi-treatment simulation, comparing Invisalign and restorative options chairside

• Direct ClinCheck integration with the Invisalign Doctor Site

• Progress Assessment for monitoring tooth movement between visits

• Invisalign Smile Architect for combined ortho-restorative planning

The Lumina Pro variant adds Near Infra-Red Imaging (NIRI) technology for interproximal caries detection above the gingiva. In March 2025, a software update added full restorative capabilities, including single crown to full-arch workflows – something that was notably absent at the time of the scanner's initial launch.

The iTero Element Series

The iTero Element 5D and Element Plus series remain in active use across many US practices and are fully accepted for Invisalign case submission. They support the core Invisalign workflow tools, though some features introduced with the Lumina are exclusive to that model. For practices already running the Element 5D, upgrading solely for Invisalign compatibility is not necessary.

Solventum (Formerly 3M) True Definition Scanner

The True Definition scanner was one of the first third-party devices Align accepted for Invisalign submissions, and it remains on the official interoperability list. One thing worth noting: in April 2024, 3M completed a spinoff of its entire health care business into a new independent company called Solventum (NYSE: SOLV). The True Definition scanner is now a Solventum product.

The scanner connects to the Invisalign Doctor Site through its own export workflow and allows practices to submit digital impressions rather than relying on PVS. It does not unlock the planning tools built into the iTero ecosystem – no outcome simulation, no ClinCheck integration beyond basic case submission, no progress tracking. For general practices that already own this scanner and have Invisalign as part of their service menu, it remains a straightforward option.

CEREC Omnicam: Accepted, But Its Successor Is Not

Dentsply Sirona's CEREC Omnicam is the third third-party scanner on Align's accepted list for the US market. Practices running the Omnicam can submit Invisalign cases digitally via the CEREC Connect software (formerly Sirona Connect), which links directly to the Invisalign Doctor Site.

The catch that trips up many practices: the Primescan, which is the Omnicam's direct successor and Dentsply Sirona's current recommended scanner, is not accepted for Invisalign digital submission. Upgrading from an Omnicam to a Primescan means losing the ability to submit Invisalign cases digitally.

For practices actively considering a CEREC upgrade, this is a material factor. The CEREC Omnicam continues to function for Invisalign workflows, but Dentsply Sirona has been shifting its focus to the Primescan for some time. Any practice that has already made the move to Primescan will need to rely on PVS impressions for Invisalign or evaluate whether an alternative aligner platform suits their workflow better. The full picture on this is covered in the CEREC Primescan compatibility with Invisalign breakdown at Dental Reviewed.

3Shape TRIOS: A Decade of Shifting Compatibility

No scanner has had a more complicated relationship with Invisalign than the 3Shape TRIOS line. The history spans a formal partnership, patent litigation, and a confidential settlement, and US dentists have been at the center of it throughout.

The Timeline Every US Dentist Should Know

In April 2016, Align Technology and 3Shape announced that TRIOS Standard, TRIOS Color, and TRIOS 3 would be accepted for Invisalign case submissions. The integration went live later that year.

Then, in December 2017, Align filed multiple patent infringement lawsuits against 3Shape. With 30 days' notice, Align terminated the TRIOS interoperability agreement in the US, effective January 31, 2018. From that point forward, new Invisalign cases could not be submitted using TRIOS scans from US-based practices.

In February 2022, the two companies announced a settlement of all outstanding litigation. However, the terms were confidential, and Align's official settlement announcement stated clearly that the existing practice of accepting TRIOS 2 and TRIOS 3 scans would continue only in "certain countries and territories outside the United States, China, and Japan." The US exclusion was not reversed by the settlement.

TRIOS 4 and TRIOS 5: Where Things Currently Stand

TRIOS 4 was never supported for Invisalign in any market. TRIOS 5 – 3Shape's current flagship, which introduced calibration-free operation, haptic feedback, and AI-guided alignment, is not listed on Align Technology's official third-party interoperability document as an accepted scanner for Invisalign. Several websites have published claims to the contrary, but none cite official Align Technology documentation, and the formal record does not support them.

For US practices that own a TRIOS 5 or any other TRIOS model, the options are to submit PVS impressions for Invisalign cases or use a second scanner that appears on the accepted list.

Those evaluating the full TRIOS range for other clinical uses can find detailed model-by-model comparisons in the 3Shape TRIOS scanner review at Dental Reviewed. It's worth noting that the recently launched TRIOS 6 also falls outside Align's accepted list – the same limitation applies to all post-TRIOS 3 models in the US.

Medit Scanners: Popular, Accurate, and Not Accepted

Medit has become one of the most talked-about scanner brands in US dentistry, primarily because its open-system approach and competitive pricing make it appealing to a wide range of practices. The Medit i700 review and Medit i900 both reflect strong clinical performance, with the i700 achieving full-arch mean absolute deviation around 114 µm in published testing. That accuracy, however, has no bearing on Invisalign acceptance.

No Medit scanner, including the i700, i700 Wireless, or i900, is currently accepted by Align Technology for Invisalign digital case submissions. The reason isn't technical; it comes down to whether Medit and Align have an interoperability agreement in place, and they currently do not.

Practices that own a Medit scanner and want to offer Invisalign have two workable options:

• Submit physical PVS impressions using Align's provided trays, which are still fully accepted for Invisalign case submission

• Add a second, Invisalign-compatible scanner for aligner workflows, while continuing to use the Medit for restorations, implant scans, and other procedures

For practices primarily focused on Invisalign volume, this arrangement adds cost and complexity. For multi-purpose practices where Invisalign is one of many services, keeping the Medit for its open-system flexibility and using PVS for Invisalign is often the more practical choice.

CEREC Primescan: Why Clinical Excellence Doesn't Guarantee Acceptance

The CEREC Primescan is one of the most accurate intraoral scanners available today, with trueness values that benchmark among the best in the industry. Yet it is not accepted by Align Technology for Invisalign case submissions in any market. This surprises many dentists, particularly those who upgraded from an Omnicam, expecting to retain Invisalign digital submission capability.

The incompatibility is driven by commercial and contractual factors, not clinical ones. Align Technology controls which third-party scanners enter its ecosystem, and the Primescan has not been granted that qualification – despite the Omnicam, which the Primescan replaced, remaining on the list.

Practices committed to the CEREC Primescan that still want to offer aligner therapy have a viable path through Dentsply Sirona's own aligner platform, SureSmile Ortho, which accepts Primescan scans directly. SureSmile does not carry Invisalign's brand recognition, but it supports a fully digital workflow for Primescan users. A full analysis of the Primescan situation and available workarounds is covered in the CEREC Primescan compatibility with Invisalign article.

Other Scanners and Aligner Platforms Worth Considering

For practices using a scanner outside the Invisalign accepted list, other aligner platforms may fill the gap. Unlike Invisalign, several competing systems accept open-format STL files from virtually any scanner.

SureSmile Ortho, Dentsply Sirona's aligner platform, is designed to work with Primescan and CEREC workflows natively. ClearCorrect, part of the Straumann Group, accepts STL exports from Medit, TRIOS, Planmeca, and other open-system scanners. Planmeca Emerald and Emerald S scanners are accepted by ClearCorrect and several other aligner manufacturers – just not Invisalign.

These platforms are worth factoring into the overall scanner decision, especially for practices building out a digital orthodontic workflow from scratch. Invisalign carries the strongest patient demand and brand recognition, but locking into Invisalign doesn't make sense for every practice – particularly if the scanner investment has already been made in a device that Align doesn't accept.

What to Do When Your Scanner Isn't on the Accepted List

Owning a scanner that Align doesn't accept for digital Invisalign submission doesn't prevent a practice from offering Invisalign treatment. The workflow changes slightly, but the clinical outcome doesn't have to.

PVS impressions taken with Align's trays remain a fully accepted submission pathway. The process is more manual and takes longer than a digital workflow, but the resulting dental treatment plan accuracy is not compromised. For practices that do moderate Invisalign volume, this is a reasonable short-term solution while evaluating scanner options.

For practices where Invisalign is a significant revenue driver, the case for adding a compatible scanner gets stronger. Options to consider:

• Adding an iTero Lumina for full Invisalign integration and exclusive planning tools, while retaining the existing scanner for restorative and other workflows

• A certified refurbished iTero Element, available through Align's certified pre-owned program, offers a lower entry point for digital Invisalign submission

• A CEREC Omnicam, if still available, provides a third-party entry point for practices that are already embedded in the Dentsply Sirona ecosystem

The right answer depends on how much of the practice revenue comes from Invisalign, what scanner is already in place, and whether the team has the capacity to manage a two-scanner workflow.

Invisalign Scanner Compatibility at a Glance

The table below summarizes the current compatibility status for the most commonly discussed intraoral scanners, specifically in the US market. For non-US markets, TRIOS 2 and TRIOS 3 acceptance outside the US, Japan, and China should be verified with an Align Technology representative.

Source

Align Technology third-party scanner interoperability document (aligntech.com) and Align Technology February 2022 settlement announcement. Always verify the current status directly with Align Technology before purchasing.

How to Keep Your Scanner Information Current

The accepted scanner list isn't fixed. Align Technology has both added and removed scanner interoperability relationships in the past – the 2018 TRIOS termination came with just 30 days' notice. Any practice that bases a capital equipment decision on Invisalign compatibility should treat the official source as the only reliable reference.

Align's third-party scanner interoperability document is maintained on aligntech.com and updated when relationships change. Bookmarking it and checking before any scanner purchase is a sensible habit. For specific questions about a scanner model or regional availability, contacting an Align Technology representative directly is the surest path to a current, accurate answer.

Bottom Line

The list of intraoral scanners compatible with Invisalign is shorter than most US dental professionals expect. In the US market, Align Technology officially accepts three scanner families for digital case submissions: the iTero line, the Solventum True Definition, and the CEREC Omnicam. Medit, Primescan, and all TRIOS models, including TRIOS 5, are not currently accepted in the US.

For practices where Invisalign is a core part of the revenue mix, the iTero scanner is the strongest choice, offering native integration and a set of exclusive workflow tools that third-party scanners can't access. Third-party options on the accepted list are workable alternatives but come without the deeper ClinCheck integration.

If the current scanner in a practice isn't on the list, PVS impressions remain a fully functional Invisalign submission method. The practice still gets to offer the treatment; the workflow is just less streamlined than a fully digital one.