Cleared Traditional

K183159 - 3M Clarity Aligners (FDA 510(k) Clearance)

Class II Dental device cleared through predicate-based substantial equivalence - typically does not require clinical trials.

K183159 · 3M Company · Dental device
Nov 2018
Decision
11d
Days
Class 2
Risk

K183159 is an FDA 510(k) clearance for the 3M Clarity Aligners. Classified as Aligner, Sequential (product code NXC), Class II - Special Controls.

Submitted by 3M Company (Saint Paul, US). The FDA issued a Cleared decision on November 26, 2018 after a review of 11 days - a notably fast clearance cycle.

This device falls under the Dental FDA review panel, regulated under 21 CFR 872.5470 - the FDA dental device regulatory framework. The Traditional 510(k) pathway establishes clearance through substantial equivalence to a legally marketed predicate device, without requiring clinical trial data.

Device pattern: Fast-track predicate clearance. Standard predicate reliance. The short review cycle indicates strong predicate alignment - the FDA found sufficient equivalence without extended technical review.

Submission Details

510(k) Number K183159 FDA.gov
FDA Decision Cleared Substantially Equivalent - Traditional 510(k) (SESE)
Date Received November 15, 2018
Decision Date November 26, 2018
Days to Decision 11 days
Submission Type Traditional
Review Panel Dental (DE)
Summary Summary PDF
Regulatory Context
Review time vs. panel average
147d faster than avg
Panel avg: 158d · This submission: 11d
Pathway characteristics
Predicate-based equivalence. No clinical trials required. Third-party reviewed.

Device Classification

Product Code NXC Aligner, Sequential
Device Class Class 2 - Special Controls
CFR Regulation 21 CFR 872.5470
Definition The Device Moves The Teeth By Continuous Gentle Force For Treatment Of Minor Tooth Malocclusion.
What this classification means

Class II devices require demonstration of substantial equivalence to a legally marketed predicate device. This pathway does not require clinical trials - it relies on engineering equivalence and performance data. Most Dental devices follow this clearance model.

Regulatory Peers - NXC Aligner, Sequential

All 13
Devices cleared under the same product code (NXC) and FDA review panel - the closest regulatory comparables to K183159.
ZSmile System
K253282 · Dror Orthodesign , Ltd. · Feb 2026
Clear Aligner (SCF-3348)
K251454 · Beame Medical Technology (Shenzhen) Limited · Jan 2026
Primeprint Direct Aligner
K250739 · Dreve Dentamid GmbH · Nov 2025
Invisalign® Palatal Expander System
K252931 · Align Technology, Inc. · Oct 2025
Invisalign Specifix Attachment System
K252870 · Align Technology, Inc. · Oct 2025
Serafin®
K251758 · Tns Co., Ltd. · Sep 2025