For years, 3D printing was seen in a very narrow-minded life. On the one hand, it appeared as a new world hack for the rich and well-off manufacturers that could afford it. On the other hand, it was a hobbyist’s passion, for people willing to spend weeks in their garage waiting for a chess set to appear as it was built layer by layer. Now, almost every industry is being transformed by the technology of 3D printing and much of this progress has been for the better. From medicine to space exploration, fashion to aircraft manufacturing, 3D printing is a speedy, accurate alternative to more traditional methods of both design and manufacturing. Even the field of dentistry has not gone untouched by the technology of 3D printing! Let’s find out how.
3D Printing for Orthodontic Aligners
There has been significant revolution, and therefore documentation, of dentistry with the introduction of three-dimensional printing. This has been particularly revolutionary in the production of clear aligners. For example, Carbon 3D clear aligners models are helping many practises to ramp up the scale of their production. It’s not hard to see why such revolution is occurring, and even essential. The aligner industry is now a 3.1 million dollar market, with a predicted growth of almost 30 per cent a year to 2030.
Clear, bespoke, removable aligners are becoming the fashionable, on trend alternative to other more traditional orthodontic appliances. They achieve the same results with much less visible impact. Invisible aligners are more comfortable, more hygienic, and more aesthetically pleasing. The various disadvantages of previous methods and the desire of patients to have invisible treatments has spurred on this progression. Furthermore, the ability to use 3D printing technology to develop them offers the precision that clear aligners require, with soft edges which don’t require polishing or trimming. This technology also produces a superior fit and improve reproducibility. The thickness of the aligner is also adaptable to fit the needs of the patient. This reduces the need for further aligning attachments which would reduce the transparency, and therefore the attractiveness, of clear aligners. Improved precision leads to improved fitting and therefore improved results. All in all, 3D printed clear aligners lead to happy patients!
Using the tools of 3D printing was one of the first steps towards creating a more accurate model without the errors and mistakes that can happen during the collection of an impression using plaster. Digital impression taking is far more superior and the 3D printed results are much more accurate. The ability to print directly brings other benefits too. The supply chain is significantly reduced, lead times are shorter, and the costs are lower. In regard to the ecological impact, it is a more sustainable procedure which creates a lot less waste than other processes. Using a combination of the different processes could also result in just one single processing step being capable of directly printing a 3D aligner from a 3D impression. As demand for this application continues to grow, no doubt the technology that supports its production will have no choice but to grow and develop to in order to keep up.
However, invisible aligners are not the only innovation of 3D printing in the field of dentistry – here are a few other advances that 3D printing is having a hand in:
3D Printing for Medical Modelling
3D printing methods are also transforming medical practises when it comes to diagnosis and treatment within the fields of implant dentistry and endodontics. It is possible to gather enough data to create a 3D model and replica a patient’s jaw before surgery, allowing the anatomy to be reviewed and the surgery to be planned. This is especially beneficial when it comes to unusual or complex anatomy and increases the chances of the surgery being successful. Model of drilling or cutting guides can also be developed using 3D printing technology. This leads to quicker, less invasive, and more successful surgeries. Using drill guides when working in implant surgery is becoming a commonplace practise and is also being using by orthopaedic surgeons in knee replacement operations. A virtual 3D plan can be created on screen before being transferred to the site of the actual operation. It basically acts as an interface that runs between the virtual model and real-life patient.
3D Printing for Crowns, Dental Framework and Restorative Dentistry
Working from scans of prepared teeth, implant positions and the dental arch, accurate virtual models open the way for various fixed and removable prosthodontics. These models can be used to print the copings for crowns and bridges, implant abutments and the structure of a bridge. High precision structures and connections can be created with very little waste. If a patient comes in who needs detailed restorative work, a 3D printed model can be used in connection with other conventional methods of restoration. All of this data a can then be stored digitally to be used again in the future if needed.
3D Printing for Dental Products and Instruments
Dentists are well known for their ingenuity and creativity and 3D printing is beginning to play a large role in this. If a creative dentist has an idea, with the technology of 3D printing it doesn’t take very long to get a prototype to put their idea into practise. A random scribble on the back of envelope can quickly become a functional model for an instruments or product that will make the dentists life a whole lot easier.
In Conclusion
The growing number options of material types, as well as the industry shift towards digital data, are all made possible by the technology of 3D printing. While the method has some limitations, in terms of technology it is still in its infancy. There is a lot more to learn about this technology and how to use it. As times goes on, understanding increases, and necessity demands invention, this technology is sure to continue progressing in leaps and bounds.