iTero Element 5D Plus
by Align Technology · since 2021 · itero.com ↗
The previous-generation iTero with NIRI caries imaging and the Invisalign link. Now mainly bought refurbished or used, or kept and upgraded; new pricing is not published and a service plan is required.
iTero Element 5D Plus review: our verdict
By the Denture-ID Research Desk · updated Sep 30, 2026 · based on vendor documentation, published pricing and public user reviews; not hands-on tested
Reviewed under the standards of our Editorial Board
The iTero Element 5D Plus was Align's flagship until Lumina arrived in 2024. It combines 3D scanning, an intraoral camera and NIRI near-infrared imaging for interproximal caries, with the direct Invisalign workflow.
Today it matters mainly in two situations: buying refurbished to get into the Invisalign workflow for less, or deciding whether to upgrade one you already own. Either way, the service plan is part of the price.
Strengths
- NIRI near-infrared imaging as an aid for interproximal caries
- Built-in intraoral camera and Invisalign simulations
- Cart and mobile configurations
- AI chip and 20% faster processing than the previous Element, according to Align
- Large refurbished and used market
Watch-outs
- Service plan required for simulator features and updates
- Align does not publish a new price; the range in our database lacks a public source
- Superseded by iTero Lumina, with a much smaller wand
- Used units need a licence transfer from Align
What the Element 5D Plus is
Align announced the iTero Element Plus Series in February 2021. The 5D Plus adds NIRI, near-infrared imaging that helps detect interproximal caries, and a fully integrated intraoral camera to 3D scanning. The Plus Series introduced a dedicated AI chip, 20% shorter processing waits and a brighter display, and comes in cart and mobile configurations. A 5D Plus Lite version can activate NIRI through a software upgrade.
Scans export as STL, and Invisalign simulation tools are built in.
Price and cost of ownership
Align does not publish prices. Our database records $28,000 to $34,840 for a new system, but without a public source, so use it only as a rough guide. What we could document:
- Refurbished iTero systems: about $9,000 to $16,000 in our September 2026 price research.
- Licence transfer for a used scanner: $350, charged by Align.
- Service plan after the bundled period: about $300 to $500 a month for current iTero systems, from collected quotes.
The service plan is what makes iTero ownership expensive over time. Full comparison: iTero Lumina price and intraoral scanner prices.
Where it is strong
- Invisalign. Direct submission and simulations.
- NIRI. Caries imaging without radiation, included on the 5D Plus.
- Camera. Intraoral photos from the same wand.
- Second-hand market. Widely available refurbished.
- Upgrade path to Lumina by wand exchange, according to Align.
Where it falls short
- Superseded. Lumina's wand is far smaller and lighter.
- Subscription. Needed for key features.
- Opaque pricing for new units.
- Used-unit risk. Confirm the licence can be transferred before buying.
- Regulatory detail. Our database does not hold the clearance record for this model; ask Align for the NIRI indication.
Alternatives to compare
- iTero Lumina: iTero Lumina review.
- TRIOS 6, with hyperspectral imaging and no mandatory subscription: TRIOS 6 review.
- Medit i900, open and subscription-free: Medit i900 review.
All models: intraoral scanner ranking.
Bottom line
A refurbished 5D Plus is a reasonable way into the Invisalign workflow if you verify the licence transfer and price the service plan first. If you already own one, get Align's wand-exchange price for Lumina before paying for a new scanner.
Sources for this review (3)
- Align Technology: iTero Element Plus Series announcement — launch, AI chip, processing time and configurations
- iTero Element Plus Series — product page
- Renew Digital: how much do iTero scanners cost — refurbished iTero pricing from an authorized reseller
Data Index profile
Table view
| Axis | iTero Element 5D Plus | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Openness | 6.0 | open file export, subscription required |
| Regulatory | no data | No clearance records found |
| Price clarity | 8.0 | list price range documented |
| Spec disclosure | 3.3 | 2 of 6 key specs published |
| Accuracy evidence | no data | No accuracy study linked yet |
Of the 3 axes we could measure, iTero Element 5D Plus is strongest on price clarity (8.0/10) and weakest on spec disclosure (3.3/10). It ranks #10 of 20 in intraoral scanners, right at the category median of 5.7. We could not verify regulatory and accuracy evidence yet, so those axes are left blank rather than scored.
- Openness6.0
open file export, subscription required. What this measures ⓘ
- Regulatoryno data
No clearance records found. What this measures ⓘ
- Price clarity8.0
list price range documented. What this measures ⓘ
- Spec disclosure3.3
2 of 6 key specs published. What this measures ⓘ
- Accuracy evidenceno data
No accuracy study linked yet. What this measures ⓘ
Price & ownership terms
- List price
- $28,000 – $34,840
- Subscription required
- Yes
- Locked without subscription
- Invisalign Outcome Simulator Pro requires an active service plan.
- Open file export
- ✓ STL
At $28,000, iTero Element 5D Plus is 37% above the median list price ($20,499) of 12 comparable devices with public pricing.
List prices across intraoral scanners
Table view
| Product | Low | High | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aoralscan 3 | $10,999 | $10,999 | |
| Aoralscan ELF | $11,999 | $11,999 | |
| Panda Smart | $12,800 | $12,800 | |
| Medit i700 | $13,999 | $13,999 | |
| 3M True Definition | $15,995 | $15,995 | |
| Medit i900 | $19,999 | $22,999 | |
| Aoralscan Elite | $20,999 | $20,999 | |
| Primescan Connect | $24,000 | $24,000 | |
| Primescan 2 | $24,995 | $24,995 | |
| TRIOS 5 | $25,900 | $26,700 | |
| TRIOS 6 | $27,900 | $27,900 | |
| iTero Element 5D Plus | $28,000 | $34,840 | |
| iTero Lumina | $39,000 | $54,000 |
Specs & openness
- Weight
- Not published
- Tip size
- Not published
- Wireless
- Not published
- Color scanning
- ✓
- Autoclavable tip
- Not published
- Technology
- NIRI (Near-Infrared Imaging)
Accuracy evidence
No independent accuracy study linked yet. Vendor accuracy claims are not counted as evidence.
Bundled & compatible software
4 products in our database list iTero Element 5D Plus as a supported integration — a proxy for how central it is to the ecosystem.
Regulatory clearances
| Market | Status | Number | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Unknown | — | — | press release ↗ |
| Canada | Unknown | — | — | press release ↗ |
| European Union | Unknown | — | — | press release ↗ |
| Australia | Unknown | — | — | press release ↗ |
| New Zealand | Unknown | — | — | press release ↗ |
Markets
Markets derived from regulatory clearances on file.
Related buyer guides
FAQ
How much does the iTero Element 5D Plus cost?
Align does not publish a list price. Our database records $28,000 to $34,840 for new units, without a public source, so treat it as indicative. Refurbished iTero systems from resellers are much cheaper; our price research found refurbished units around $9,000 to $16,000. Used units need an Align licence transfer, quoted at $350.
What is the difference between iTero Element 5D Plus and iTero Lumina?
Lumina, launched in 2024, uses a new multi-camera capture with a field of view Align says is three times wider, and a wand 50% smaller and 45% lighter. The Element 5D Plus has NIRI caries imaging; on Lumina that is only in the Pro version. Element Plus owners can upgrade to Lumina by exchanging the wand, according to Align.
Does the iTero Element 5D Plus need a subscription?
Yes. Align's service plan is required for features such as the Invisalign Outcome Simulator Pro, software updates and cloud storage.
Sources8 cited · 14 field-level citations
- iTero Element Plus Series | iTero · itero.com · vendor site
- iTero Scanners | iTero · itero.com · vendor site
- iTero Solutions | iTero · itero.com · vendor site
- Our Products | iTero · global.itero.com · vendor site
- iTero Element 5D Plus Intraoral Scanner · glidewelldental.com · review platform
- iTero | Digital Impression System · itero.com · vendor site
- Align Technology Announces iTero Element Plus Series, Next Generation of iTero Element Scanners · investor.aligntech.com · press release
- iTero Element Plus Series | iTero Scanner · itero.com · vendor site
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