How to send digital scans to a dental lab
A step-by-step guide to sending intraoral scans (STL, PLY, OBJ) to a dental laboratory online, avoiding the most common file and prescription mistakes.
ReadOrthodontic design laboratories
Orthodontic design has moved almost entirely digital: setups, aligner staging, retainers and appliances are all produced from a scan and a treatment objective rather than plaster models.
The laboratories here take orthodontic cases remotely and return printable models, staged setups or appliance files for your approval.
What to look for
- Experience with the aligner or appliance system you use
- A staged setup sent for approval before models are produced
- Whether they handle retention planning as well as active treatment
- Pricing per arch, per case or per stage
- Turnaround for a full staged setup
How it works on LabMatch
- 1. Upload your scans and describe the case in a private workspace.
- 2. Receive a written quote before any work starts.
- 3. Review the design and ask for adjustments.
- 4. Pay the quoted amount and download the final files.
Accounts are free for dentists and laboratories. LabMatch keeps 10% of a paid case; the laboratory receives 90%.
Create a free accountFrequently asked questions
Can aligner setups be designed remotely?
Yes. The designer works from your intraoral scan and treatment objective, and returns a staged setup for approval. Printing and thermoforming can be done in your practice or by the laboratory.
What do I need to send for a retainer?
A current scan of the arch and, if the retainer follows active treatment, the final setup. State the retainer type and thickness you want.
How much does it cost to use LabMatch?
Accounts are free for dentists and for laboratories. The dentist pays the amount the laboratory quotes — there is no surcharge. LabMatch retains a 10% commission on paid cases and the laboratory receives 90%.
Can I work with a laboratory in another country?
Yes. Every case runs remotely: scans, photos and prescriptions are uploaded to a private case workspace, and the finished design is downloaded there after payment. Physical location is optional for a laboratory.
Which file formats can I send?
STL, PLY, OBJ, DICOM, JPG, PNG and PDF are supported. Most intraoral scanners export STL as a minimum; PLY and OBJ additionally carry colour, which helps with margin lines and shade communication.
Related guides
Digital workflows explained: STL, PLY, OBJ and what your lab needs
A plain-language explanation of scan file formats and what a digital laboratory actually needs from your scanner.
ReadWorking with dental laboratories remotely: a guide for dentists
How remote collaboration with a dental lab actually works day to day — files, communication, quality control and payments.
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