Dentistry is one of the earliest cross-industry adopters of 3D printing and over the years it has blossomed. Understanding the advantages of 3D printing for dentists, companies have even developed a range of 3D printers targeting the dentistry applications. Material library is also rapidly evolving to cater to the dentistry needs. Digital Dentistry is upon us, and so is the future of dentistry.
Let us have a look at the advantages of 3D printing for dentists.
Case Study
Albensi Laboratories located in Pennsylvania faced a major challenge in the increasing prices of dental models leading to an increased price of the dental treatments. To stay competitive, the lab had to streamline its processes by improving the speed, and quality at the same time keeping the costs low. This was tough to achieve by any other process and for the same reasons, Albensi Laboratories integrated 3D printing into their workflow. According to the President of Albensi Laboratories, “We concluded that integrating 3D printing into our workflow could reduce our costs and open new opportunities for growth, while still meeting our quality and operational requirements.”
Applications of 3D Printing for Densists
Wide-spread and ease of operation has led to this silent but substantial dental revolution. Technologically advanced 3D Scanners and the upgraded CAD software specifically targeted to the dental industry have helped in improving the overall experience of the dentists and led to universal acceptance of the 3D printing technology.
Below are the four areas where digital dentistry has significantly made an impact. These are the important applications of 3D printing for dentists.
1. Surgical Guides
Dental procedures require the use of drills majorly to remove tooth decay or to shape the tooth structure before insertion of a filling or a crown. This drilling procedure has to be highly precise as even a small eccentric drill stroke can lead to pain or at worst partial facial paralysis.
Therefore, one of the most important advantages of 3D printing lies in the manufacture of surgical guides. A 3D printed surgical guide helps in accurate drilling spots for dentists reducing the chances of painful procedures.
Also Read: The Advantages of 3D Printing for Startups
2. Crowns and Bridges
Another application of 3D printing for dentists is in the printing of crowns, which are widely used and are most commonly used parts in dental procedures. Crowns or bridges are the caps on top of the tooth which are used to correct the missing or damaged teeth. As teeth structure is different for different people a 3D printed crown can greatly reduce the time and cost of making such a unique part.
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3. Orthodontics
One of the lesser know advantages of 3D printing is in the creation of dental orthodontic devices like retainers and splints. It is a common dental procedure but often proves to be costly and takes a lot of time. But a simple 3D scan of the mouth can directly convert it into a required 3D model via a 3D Printer. These devices can be directly printed in the dental clear resins or in metal as per the requirement.
Future Developments
Research is being carried out for developing bio-compatible materials which can be used as an application rather than a guide. The new materials will allow dentists to print functional dentures thereby lowering the costs and simplifying the process. 3D printing has pioneered the shift towards digital dentistry. This has made 3D printing for dentists, a great prospective market for printer and material manufacturers and it will surely drive the growth of the industry. The future will be focused towards 3D printing end products for real-world use.
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