3D-printed dentures are changing the landscape of digital dentistry. What once was a complex, time-consuming process is now a procedure that can be completed in as few as two appointments.
Leading companies like SprintRay are at the forefront of the move to utilize the power of digital technology to offer more cost-effective, efficient, and highly customized solutions for patients. In this post, we’ll explore 3D printed dentures and walk through the digital denture workflow to show how 3D printed dentures are the future of removable prosthetics.
What Are 3D Printed Dentures?
Gone are the days of crafting dentures by hand—a meticulous process that demanded considerable time and skill, limited to a trained denture technician with years of experience and an artisan’s touch. With 3D printed dentures, a process that previously took weeks or even months can now be complete in as little as two appointments, greatly improving customer satisfaction and improving efficiency for dental offices.
What once was made by hand can now be done with digital precision in a 3D printer using high-quality biocompatible resins. 3D printed dentures are custom-made from digitized clinical records. The dentist then uploads these records into design software where the dentures can be customize for fit and aesthetics. Then, the dentures are print and given the finishing touches.
We’ll dive deeper into the process in just a moment, but suffice it to say it is much less labor intensive than traditional dentures and greatly eliminates the potential for human error, thus ensuring a better fit. And that’s just one of its advantages — let’s take a closer look.
Advantages of 3D Printed Dentures
Cost Efficiency
One of the biggest benefits of 3D printed dentures is cost reduction. Traditional denture fabrication is a complex, manual process, making it expensive and time-consuming. With 3D printing, however, the reliance on extensive manual labor is minimize. Companies like SprintRay have developed streamlined, digital workflows that significantly reduce production costs, making it a more affordable option for patients and practices alike.
Speed and Efficiency
The digital workflow of 3D printed dentures allows for faster turnaround times. Traditional dentures involve multiple fittings and adjustments and can take weeks to complete, often leaving patients in a precarious position. The 3D printed denture process enables dentists to reduce these wait times considerably. SprintRay’s efficient system in particular can reduce the process to just days, allowing patients to receive their dentures with minimal delay and fewer appointments.
Another huge benefit is that if the digital denture is lost or damaged. Another one can be 3D printed from the digital record. Unlike the traditional method, where the process must start from the beginning. The digital record allows for quick and easy replacement, saving time and effort.
Customization and Precision
Using a 3D printer and software to create dentures allows for a much higher degree of customization and precision. Dentists can tailor dentures to each patient’s unique anatomy using advanced CAD (computer-aided design) software (or let SprintRay’s denture design specialists handle it). This produces highly accurate and comfortable dentures that fit and function as well if not better than traditional dentures, enhancing the patient’s smile and overall experience.
Durability and Quality
3D printed dentures are craft from durable materials that enhance the longevity of the prosthetic. SprintRay utilizes advanced high-impact, biocompatible resins that are not only resilient but also deliver a more natural-looking smile. These materials help ensure that the patient’s 3D printed dentures stand up to the wear and tear of daily use, giving them a smile that looks good, feels good, and lasts.
Now, let’s walk through the 3D printed denture process to see it in action, using SprintRay’s innovative workflow as our guide.
The 3D Printed Dentures Workflow
Capture Clinical Records
The 3D printed denture process begins with capturing the clinical records using an intraoral scanner. This data can be capture by scanning either an existing denture or the impressions and a wax bite. Or, if the scanner is capable, directly from the tissue, that eliminates the need to take traditional impressions, which is tedious and uncomfortable for the patient.
Submit a Treatment
Here, SprintRay further simplifies the process. Rather than requiring the dentist to spend thousands of dollars to buy and then learn sophisticated denture design software, SprintRay’s design team handles the process for you and turns the scans into ready-to-print 3D files. This takes a technical component of the process off of the dentist’s plate, giving them more time to treat patients. The dentist simply uploads the scans to SprintRay Cloud Design, chooses a denture type and style for maximum customization, and an expert designer gets to work, turning a custom denture design around in under 72 hours.
3D Print & Process
The complete design file will be send directly to your 3D printer. Using biocompatible high-quality resin, the denture is print layer by layer. SprintRay Apex Teeth and Base resins offer NanoFusion strength and lifelike translucency for a long-lasting denture your patients will love. SprintRay’s end-to-end printing workflow ensures that even complex denture designs are complete quickly and accurately.
Finish & Characterize
After printing, the denture undergoes post-processing, where the dentist can polish and characterize the denture to achieve your desired natural look.
MORE: Watch Dr. Andrew Johnson’s digital denture masterclass here.
Conclusion
3D printed dentures offer a faster, more cost-effective, and highly personalized alternative to traditional dentures. As companies like SprintRay lead the way in digital denture technology, dental professionals have the opportunity to modernize their patient care while helping them spend less time at the office. This leads to more time available for more patients, increasing revenue for the office. If your dental office is looking to stay at the forefront of dental advancements and patient expectations, adopting 3D printed dentures is an exciting step toward a more efficient, patient-friendly practice. Schedule a demo with SprintRay today to explore the financial and time-saving benefits of in-office, dental 3D printing for your practice.