The Evolution of 3D Printing in Dentistry
3D printing in dentistry is taking the industry by storm. Once used primarily in dental laboratories, 3D printing has shot to prominence in dental offices all over the world. From retainers and night guards to dentures and crowns, several procedures that used to take weeks can now be done chairside–in a single visit. The technology and workflows enabled with 3D printing has vastly improved the customer experience and office efficiency.
Let’s take a look at how 3D printing in dentistry has evolved and its impact on modern dentistry.
The Emergence of 3D Printing in Dentistry
3D printing first emerged in the 1980s. Early adopters used it to manufacture dental models. This period also saw the development of stereolithography (SLA), a technology known for its ability to create precise, detailed models. As the technology and material science advanced. Dental labs became able to produce a wider range of appliances for more indications.
By the early 2000s, material and equipment advancements have made it possible to rapidly print high-quality dental parts. Recently, this evolution has seen a transition to chairside 3D printing — perhaps the most significant advancement in dentistry, as it enabled dentists to create prosthetics directly in their offices for the first time.
Dental 3D Printing Technologies
Several 3D printing techniques are available in modern dentistry.
- Stereolithography (SLA) — Renowned for its high accuracy and a precursor to all 3D printing technology that followed. SLA is ideal for creating detailed crown and bridge models, surgical guides, and precision dental appliances.
- Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) — Often used to create durable dental appliances like metal RPD (removable partial denture) frames, SLS uses lasers to fuse powdered material layer by layer.
- Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) — FDM is cost-effective and used for creating preliminary study models or temporary restorations, though it offers less precision than SLA or SLS.
- Material Jetting (MJ) — Capable of multi-material printing, MJ is used to create prosthetics, including dentures and models that require varying shades.
Applications of 3D Printing in Dentistry
3D printing can be used in several different applications and areas of dentistry.
- Removables — Through 3D printing, the production of night guards and dentures is faster, more accurate, and easier to reproduce than ever before. The ability to customize prosthetics with high precision to each patient’s mouth allows for better-fitting appliances. This results in comfortable, natural-looking, durable appliances created in a fraction of the time.
- Orthodontics — Models for clear aligners and retainers, such as Invisalign, are among the most popular applications of 3D printing. Dentists can now rapidly create patient-specific orthodontic solutions, such as direct print retainers with less manual labor leading to faster treatment times and happier patients.
- Surgical Applications — 3D-printed surgical guides that are custom-made based on digital scans of a patient’s mouth, ensures the highest level of accuracy. These precision implant placement guides reduce surgery time and speed up patient delivery time.
- Restorative Dentistry — Crowns, inlays, onlays, and veneers produced via 3D printing fit and look as good as restorations produced using traditional methods. With digital scanning and precise printing, dentists can create highly accurate restorations that blend seamlessly with the patient’s natural teeth.
The Game Changer: Chairside 3D Printing
Rapidly becoming a new industry standard in modern dental offices, chairside 3D printing is changing what dental practices are capable of doing as well as what patients are coming to expect. One dental clinic has even reported that using chairside 3D printing has reduced patient waiting times by 50%.
With chairside 3D printing, dentists can fabricate dental restorations such as crowns and inlays/onlays during a single patient visit. This process involves digital scanning, AI Design Services, and printing it on-site — no lab or return visit required.
Here’s a quick list of highlights offered by chairside 3D printing:
- Same-day restorations — Patients can visit your office and walk out with a definitive crown, night guard, or retainer on the same day, eliminating the need for temporary restorations and multiple appointments.
- Fewer visits — Patients spend less time in the dental chair, which leads to a more convenient and streamlined treatment process.
- Increased satisfaction — Same-day restorations and shorter treatment times lead to higher patient satisfaction and improved overall experience.
- Increased profitability — Same-day restorations, reduced patient visits, and the time a procedure takes means you can take on more patients, boosting your bottom line. And further, when your office reputation improves thanks to happy patients, you’ll gain referrals. All of these things combined leads to a thriving business, thanks to the addition of chairside 3D printing.
Conclusion
To say 3D printing has revolutionized dental care would be a gross understatement. From its early iterations to today’s ability to provide chairside restorations. 3D printing is the technology every dental office needs to keep up with modern times and meet modern patient expectations.
Schedule a demo to see what chairside 3D printing can do for your dental practice today.