Buckle Up! 3D Printing is Poised to Change Dentistry for the Better

 

3D printing in dentistry has been around for a few years now.  I can even remember there was a push to 3D print frames for masks and 'ear savers' during the initial Covid outbreak when supplies were short.  My point is that this isn't necessarily *new* to dentistry.  So why, many are asking, is this going to be dentistry's 'next big thing'?

I think it's taking off for three reasons:

1. Accuracy:  3D printers have always been accurate, but through continuing development they are becoming more so.  Most 3D printers on the market now have accuracy up to 50 microns, which is totally acceptable for the profession... especially for removable projects like clear retainers, occlusal guards, bleaching trays, and transitional partial dentures.
2. Materials:  When the tech first hit the profession, there were limited choices for resins.  Doctors couldn't' always find the ideal material for a certain application.  That has completely changed with a huge variety of resins.  Basically if you want to print something, there is a material made for that and those materials are first rate.
3. Design:  In years past, I feel the real impediment has been in designing things.  The design process has become much easier and much more streamlined.  It used to be that in order to design things, it required a separate piece of software.  Those programs were another added cost, sometimes significant, and some were difficult to learn and use.  Now costs have dropped, design has improved, and some companies even offer cloud design software as part of the printer system purchase.  AI has also improved things with many design programs incorporating it into their systems.  Smart design software means doctors only need to make minor changes, if any, before sending it to the printer.

As an example of simplicity, I recently created an hard occlusal splint.  It was designed in The Cloud with a few mouse clicks and the design software sent the completed design file directly to the printer.  All I had to do was select the file on the printer and press 'print'.  In about 20 minutes I had the project printed.

Being able to provide services using accurate and faster systems are a benefit to doctors and patients.  Why should a patient wait 2-3 weeks for something when it can be fabricated in the office and delivered the same day or next day?

There are more reasons to take a close look at this technology than I'm providing in a short blog post.  The September issue of Dental Products Report is featuring 3D Printing as our cover story and I hope many of you will give it a read.  I've spent a large part of 2024 immersed in working with and evaluating this tech and I truly feel it is now ready for prime time applications.  The next 12-18 months is going to be seeing a lot of focus and interest in this area.  Get ready now, the time is here.