The scan takes a few minutes. Getting it to the lab should take one click, but it often turns into a phone call: the lab is not in the list, the connection is still pending, the platform changed its name, or the case arrived without a bite. This guide walks through the current steps for each major scanner, checked against the manufacturers' own help pages in September 2026.
Key Takeaways
- You connect a lab once inside your scanner's cloud platform, and the lab has to accept the request before you can send.
- Dentsply Sirona closed Connect Case Center to dentists on November 15, 2025. CEREC and Primescan cases now go through DS Core.
- TRIOS users add labs in 3Shape Unite, and Medit users can add lab partners only in the web version of Medit Link.
- PLY keeps color and was 39% to 62% smaller than STL for the same scans in a 2026 study of 1,800 files.
- HIPAA does not ban email, but scans must be adequately protected in transit, so use your scanner's platform or the lab's secure portal.
Quick Answer
To send a scan to a dental lab, add the lab once as a connection or partner in your scanner's cloud platform (iTero, 3Shape Unite, Medit Link Web, DS Core, DEXIS IS Connect and others), wait for the lab to accept, then choose the lab in the Rx or order form and send. If your scanner and the lab are not on the same platform, export the scans as STL or PLY and upload them through the lab's secure portal together with the Rx.
Scanner by Scanner at a Glance
| Scanner | Where you connect the lab | Export formats |
|---|---|---|
| Align iTero Element, Lumina | iTero Support or MyiTero, then sync the scanner | STL and PLY from MyiTero |
| 3Shape TRIOS | 3Shape Unite: More, Store, Labs, Add connection | STL, PLY, DCM |
| Medit i500 to i900 | Medit Link Web: Partners | STL, PLY, OBJ |
| Dentsply Sirona CEREC, Primescan | DS Core lab directory | STL, PLY and others for the lab |
| DEXIS IS | DEXIS IS Connect: Partners, Invite a partner | STL, PLY |
| Planmeca Emerald S | Romexis Send tab and Romexis Cloud | STL, PLY |
| Shining 3D Aoralscan | Dental Cloud: Connections, New | STL, PLY, OBJ |
| Panda | PandaCenter: Upload, add the lab by email | Check with the manufacturer |
Step by Step
Align iTero (Element and Lumina)
- Add the lab: contact iTero Support with your scanner's serial number and the lab's full name, or connect to the lab yourself in the MyiTero portal.
- On the scanner, run Settings, Sync Configuration, so the new lab appears.
- For each case: New Scan, choose the procedure, set the due date, choose the lab under Send To, add scan options such as a pre-treatment scan or multi-bite, add notes, scan and send.
- To export files, open the case in MyiTero.com and choose Export.
To connect with Elegant: call iTero Support at 1-800-577-8767 and ask them to add Company ID 12819, Elegant Dental Laboratory.
3Shape TRIOS (3Shape Unite 24.1 and later)
- Open 3Shape Unite, choose More, then Store.
- Go to Labs, click Add connection and search by the lab's name, address, email or phone. Click Connect.
- The lab has to approve the request. Once it does, "Cancel request" changes to "Disconnect".
- For each case, fill in the order form, choose the lab and send.
- To export: in Patients or Cases, open the menu, choose Export, Scans, then STL, PLY or DCM. Only processed or sent scans can be exported, and PLY needs an active TRIOS license.
To connect with Elegant: search for info@elegantlab.com or Elegant Dental Laboratory.
Medit (i500, i600, i700, i900)
- Sign in to Medit Link on the web with an admin account. Partners is not available in the Medit Link app.
- Open Partners and search for the lab by business name or address, or use Invite Partner and enter the lab's email.
- For each case: in Case Box choose Order, select the partner, check the order and file lists, set the delivery date, add a memo and send.
- Export files from the Medit Link file viewer as STL, PLY or OBJ. For color, Medit recommends PLY or OBJ.
To connect with Elegant: search for julia@elegantlab.com in Partners.
Dentsply Sirona CEREC and Primescan
- Register at DS Core. The free Access tier includes ordering.
- Connect your CEREC or Connect software to DS Core.
- Search for your lab in the DS Core directory and add or invite it.
- Upload the scan to DS Core, assign it to the patient, create the order, choose the lab and place the order.
To connect with Elegant: call us at 877-335-5221 and we will set up the fastest route for your DS Core account.
DEXIS IS (and Carestream CS Connect)
- Log in to DEXIS IS Connect as a dentist.
- Open Partners, click Invite a partner, enter the lab's email and send. The lab accepts the invitation.
- For each case, click the DEXIS IS Connect button in your imaging software, create the case and submit the lab form to your partner.
Practices still on Carestream software can send through CS Connect from CS Imaging.
To connect with Elegant: invite Julia@elegantlab.com in DEXIS IS Connect. On CS Connect, search for Elegant Dental Laboratory.
Planmeca, Shining 3D, Alliedstar, Panda and Others
- Planmeca Emerald S: use the Send tab in Romexis 6.4 or later to send, export or create lab order forms through Romexis Cloud. You can also export STL or PLY and upload it to our secure Lab Portal.
- Shining 3D Aoralscan: in Dental Cloud open Connections, choose New, search for the lab and confirm; then use Go to send in IntraoralScan. Search for Elegant Dental Laboratory.
- Alliedstar: in AS Connect open My Partner, choose Add Partner, search for Elegant Dental Laboratory and apply.
- Panda: the lab needs a free Panda account. In PandaCenter click Upload, then the plus sign, search for the lab's email and add it. Search for Elegant Dental Lab.
- Any other scanner: export STL or PLY and upload it with the Rx through the lab's secure portal.
STL, PLY or OBJ?
| Format | Keeps color | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| STL | No, shape only | Any lab and any design software |
| PLY | Yes | Crowns and esthetic cases where tissue and tooth color help the technician |
| OBJ | Yes, with texture | Color cases in software that reads OBJ |
| Vendor formats (DCM, meditmesh and others) | Yes | Labs using the same vendor's software |
Is It OK to Email Scans?
According to HHS, the HIPAA Security Rule does not expressly prohibit sending electronic health information by email, but it has to be adequately protected in transit. In practice, the safest route is the one built for it: your scanner's own lab connection or the lab's secure portal, which keep the scan, the Rx and the patient details together and encrypted. Avoid attaching scans with patient names to regular, unencrypted email.
Troubleshooting
- The lab is not in the list: the lab may not be registered on your scanner's platform. Ask the lab which platform and email to use, or export and upload through its portal.
- The connection says pending: the lab still has to accept it. A quick call usually solves it the same day.
- iTero shows the old lab list: run Sync Configuration on the scanner after the lab is added.
- The case arrived without a bite: iTero, for example, warns about a missing prep, a missing bite or a bite scanned on one side only. Do not skip those warnings.
Sending Cases to Elegant Dental Laboratory
We accept cases from all the scanners above and from any scanner that exports STL or PLY. Connection details for each system and our secure Lab Portal are on Submit a Digital Case. New practices can call 877-335-5221, and we will set up the account and the first connection with you. Every scan is reviewed before production, and the standard turnaround is 5 business days on most restorative cases.
Not scanning yet? Read Is an Intraoral Scanner Worth It for Your Practice?
FAQ
How do I add a dental lab to my intraoral scanner?
Add the lab once in your scanner's cloud platform: iTero Support or MyiTero, 3Shape Unite (Store, Labs), Medit Link Web (Partners), DS Core (lab directory) or DEXIS IS Connect (Partners). The lab then accepts the request.
How do I send an iTero scan to another lab?
Ask iTero Support to add the new lab to your scanner or connect in MyiTero, run Sync Configuration, and choose the new lab under Send To in the next Rx. You can also export the scan from MyiTero as STL or PLY.
What happened to CEREC Connect?
Dentsply Sirona shut down Connect Case Center for dentists on November 15, 2025. CEREC and Primescan users now send cases to labs through DS Core.
Should I send STL or PLY files?
PLY if the lab accepts it, because it keeps color and is smaller. STL works with every lab and design program but has no color.
Can I email intraoral scans to a lab?
HIPAA does not prohibit email, but the files must be protected in transit. A scanner platform or the lab's secure portal is the safer choice.
Sources
- Align Technology. iTero Lumina user manual PN 216257 Rev. F (2025) and iTero FAQ on adding labs and exporting scans. guides.itero.com
- 3Shape Support. How to add a laboratory in Unite software; Export scans in Unite. support.3shape.com
- Medit Help Center. Partners; Ordering; Exporting data. support.medit.com
- Dentsply Sirona. Connect Case Center to DS Core: key milestones. dentsplysirona.com
- DEXIS. DEXIS IS Connect help: Inviting a laboratory to be a partner; Creating a case. help.dentalconnect.dexis.com
- Planmeca. Planmeca Online and Emerald S product information. planmeca.com
- Shining 3D Dental support articles on Dental Cloud connections and sending. support.shining3ddental.com
- Panda Scanner support. Connect with lab. support.panda-scanner.com
- Doan HT, et al. Comparison of stereolithography (STL) and polygon file format (PLY) for intraoral scans: From chairside to archive. J Dent. 2026;165:106253. doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2025.106253
- US Department of Health and Human Services. Does the Security Rule allow for sending electronic PHI in an email? hhs.gov
Reviewed by Gary Fingerman, founder and CEO of Elegant Dental Laboratory, Brooklyn, New York (founded 2007). Steps checked against manufacturer help pages on September 27, 2026. Software menus change; if a step does not match your screen, call us at 877-335-5221.
