A Complete Compatibility Guide for Custom Night Guards**
If you’ve had a digital dental scan at your dentist’s office, there’s a good chance it can be used to order a custom night guard — as long as the scanner produces an .STL file.
But not all patients are told what scanner was used, whether files can be exported, or what format the scan is saved in. That often leads to confusion when trying to order a night guard online using a digital scan.
This guide breaks it all down.
Below, we’ll explain:
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What an .STL file is
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Why .STL compatibility matters for night guards
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Which dental scanners produce .STL files
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What to ask your dentist if you’re unsure
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How to know whether your scan will work
This article is part of Sentinel Mouthguards’
Custom Night Guards From Digital Scans (.STL Files): The Complete Guide
🧠 Why .STL Files Matter for Custom Night Guards
An .STL file is a universal 3D file format used in dental CAD/CAM workflows. It contains precise surface data of your teeth — every contour, ridge, and cusp — without distortion.
For night guards, this matters because:
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.STL files are compatible with professional dental CAD software
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They allow precise digital design and bite balancing
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They integrate seamlessly with 3D printing and modern lab workflows
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They eliminate inaccuracies common with physical impressions
If a scanner can export an .STL file, it can almost always be used to fabricate a high-quality custom night guard.
If you’re unsure whether to request an .STL digital scan or use a traditional impression kit, our article Impression vs. Digital Scan: Which Is Right for Your Custom Night Guard? breaks down the differences.
🖥️ Dental Scanners That Produce .STL Files
Below is a list of the most commonly used intraoral scanners and their .STL compatibility.
Important note:
Some scanners save files in proprietary formats by default, but still allow .STL export upon request.
✅ iTero (Align Technology)
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Produces .STL files: Yes
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Commonly used for: Invisalign, orthodontics, restorative dentistry
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What to know:
iTero scans can be exported as .STL files, though patients may need to request the export from their dentist.
✅ 3Shape TRIOS
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Produces .STL files: Yes
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Commonly used for: Full digital dentistry workflows
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What to know:
TRIOS is fully compatible with open .STL exports and is one of the most widely used scanners for digital appliances.
✅ Medit (i500, i600, i700, etc.)
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Produces .STL files: Yes
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Commonly used for: General dentistry and labs
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What to know:
Medit scanners are known for being open systems, making .STL export easy and common.
✅ Primescan (Dentsply Sirona)
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Produces .STL files: Yes
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Commonly used for: High-precision restorative cases
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What to know:
Primescan files may originate in proprietary formats, but .STL export is supported.
✅ Planmeca Emerald
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Produces .STL files: Yes
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Commonly used for: Digital impressions and restorations
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What to know:
Planmeca scanners allow .STL export and are compatible with night guard fabrication.
✅ Carestream Dental Scanners
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Produces .STL files: Yes
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Commonly used for: Restorative and orthodontic workflows
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What to know:
Carestream scanners are generally open systems that support .STL files.
✅ Shining 3D (Aoralscan Series)
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Produces .STL files: Yes
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Commonly used for: Digital dentistry and lab workflows
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What to know:
These scanners are fully compatible with open .STL exports.
⚠️ What If You Don’t Know Which Scanner Was Used?
That’s very common — and completely okay.
Here’s what to do:
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Ask your dental office:
“Can you provide my digital scan as an .STL file?” -
You don’t need to know the scanner name to request your file
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In most cases, dental offices are legally allowed (and required) to provide your digital records upon request
If the office says the file can’t be shared, ask whether they can export a standard .STL for appliance fabrication.
🧾 What File Types Work Best?
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✅ .STL — preferred and universally accepted
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⚠️ .PLY / .OBJ — sometimes accepted (often includes color data)
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❌ Screenshots, PDFs, images — not usable for fabrication
If you’re unsure what format you have, our lab can review it before production.
🔍 Does the Scan Need to Be Recent?
Yes — your scan should reflect your current dental anatomy.
You’ll need an updated scan if you’ve had:
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Crowns or fillings
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Orthodontic treatment
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Implants
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Extractions
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Significant tooth movement
As a general rule, scans taken within the last 2–3 years are usually acceptable if no dental changes have occurred.
🦷 Upper, Lower, or Both?
Depending on the guard you’re ordering:
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Upper guards require an upper arch scan
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Lower guards require a lower arch scan
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Some designs benefit from both
A separate bite registration is typically not required with modern digital scans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which dental scanners produce .STL files?
Most modern intraoral scanners can export .STL files, including iTero, 3Shape TRIOS, Medit, Primescan, Planmeca, Carestream, Shining 3D, and Dental Wings.
Can I request my .STL file from my dentist?
Yes. In most cases, dental offices can provide your digital scan upon request, including exporting it as an .STL file for appliance fabrication.
What if I don’t know which scanner was used?
You don’t need to know the scanner name. You can simply ask your dental office if they can provide your scan as an .STL file.
Are all .STL files compatible with night guards?
As long as the scan clearly captures your current dental anatomy and includes all teeth needed for the guard, most .STL files are compatible.
Do I need a bite registration with a digital scan?
No. Modern digital scans capture the bite relationship accurately enough for custom night guard design without a separate bite registration.
💚 Final Thoughts
If your dental scan can be exported as an .STL file, you’re already set up for a faster, more accurate custom night guard.
Modern intraoral scanners are designed for open digital workflows, and most are fully compatible with night guard fabrication — even if your dentist doesn’t mention it upfront.
If you’re ever unsure whether your scan will work, Sentinel Mouthguards is always happy to review it and guide you through the next step.