The advent of 3D printing technology has ushered in a new era of innovation across various industries, including dentistry.
This technology, which allows for the creation of three-dimensional objects from digital models, has transformed some dental practices by improving the efficiency, accuracy and cost effectiveness of a wide range of procedures. In 2023, Grand View Research pegged the global market value for 3D printing in dentistry at more than $2.5 billion, and that valuation is projected to grow more than 23% by 2030.
Dr. Patrick Dionise, of Dionise Dental, is an early adopter of 3D printing tech and said the
decision was a solid one.
“My experience has been very positive so far,” said Dionise. “Patients are impressed when they see the technology, so it could also be used as a marketing tool. If you have a team member that is interested in the technology, it helps keep them engaged. Another added benefit is that when a team member has downtime, they can be working on printing or the lab work involved with printing.”
Upping precision
One of the most significant advantages of 3D printing is the extreme precision it offers. Traditional methods of creating dental prosthetics (crowns, bridges and dentures) often involve manual work done by human hands. Human hands are, of course, subject to human error. With 3D printing, these processes are handled digitally, resulting in highly accurate renderings. Digital scanning technologies allow for the creation of detailed 3D models of a patient’s oral cavity and these near-perfect scans can then be used to design near-perfect prosthetics.
Some practices are taking a hybrid approach to digital dentistry, utilizing a “partial” digital approach that melds traditional subtractive/milling techniques done in the lab with 3D printing and/or scanning practices.
Upping efficiency
The traditional fabrication of dental prosthetics can be a lengthy process, often requiring several weeks from initial impression to final fitting. 3D printing can reduce this time frame significantly. The integration of 3D printing with computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems also enhances workflow efficiency in dental laboratories. A survey conducted by the American Dental Association (ADA) in 2022 found that dental practices utilizing 3D printing technology reported a 30% increase in productivity. This boost in efficiency allows dental professionals to serve more patients and focus on providing high-quality care.
Dionise can attest to this increase in efficiency.
“I was unhappy with bite splints I was receiving from the lab. We had to scan the patient’s teeth, send the scan out, the lab would make them, send them to us in the mail, and we brought the patient back. It was usually around a two-week turnaround,” he said. “If they didn’t fit properly, I had to send them back. If there was an issue in the
coming months (broken splint, dog ate it, etc.) the lab had to remake it at significant cost.
“The printer allows us to remake them for a very low cost to the patient if something is to happen. Files stay in the cloud and we can access them at any time.”
Cost-effectiveness
While the initial investment in 3D printing technology can be substantial, the long-term cost
savings are significant. Traditional dental prosthetics require multiple materials and labor intensive processes, leading to higher production costs. In contrast, 3D printing reduces material waste and minimizes the need for manual labor, resulting in lower overall expenses.
“We started 3D printing surgical guides for implants. The CBCT (DICOM file) is merged with the intraoral scan (STL file) and a surgical guide can be designed and printed fairly easily,” Dionise said. “We are also printing models of patients’ teeth for various applications, which has been nice getting away from pouring up models.”
A cost analysis published in the Journal of Dental Research showed that dental laboratories using 3D printing technology experienced a 40% reduction in production costs compared to traditional methods.
Materials and biocompatibility
The versatility of 3D printing materials has expanded the range of dental applications. Early 3D printing technologies were limited to a few types of resins and plastics, but advancements have introduced a variety of biocompatible materials suitable for dental use, and Food and Drug Administration approvals are regularly updated as new materials are developed and tested.
Biocompatibility is a critical factor in dental prosthetics, as materials obviously must not cause adverse reactions in the mouth.
Orthodontics and aligners
Perhaps the area of dentistry most visibly impacted, in the eyes of the public anyway, by the
advent of 3D printing technology is orthodontics. Ever heard of Invisalign™? Those semi-transparent straightening devices are made possible by 3D printing and scanning technologies.
The scanning systems and manufacturing processes of 3D printers have made it possible to create ultra-customized orthodontic systems tailored to each patient and to do so in a relatively short period of time.
Traditional ortho devices certainly remain viable (and still the best solution in many cases) but even those time-honored systems are seeing 3D printed
options in play. LightForce™, for example, creates 3D-printed ceramic brackets that can be customized to the shape and orientation of each tooth using 3D scans and software.
Education impacts
Dental schools are also tapping into 3D technology, using 3D-printed models to enhance the learning experience for students. These models can replicate a wide range of dental conditions and anatomical variations, providing hands-on training opportunities that are more realistic and comprehensive than some traditional methods, while also providing increased convenience and reduced lab costs.
Dental educators have reported improved student engagement and understanding when using 3D-printed models. These models also allow for repetitive practice without the concerns associated with working on people.
What's next?
The future of 3D printing is fascinating and offers plenty of promise. Advancements in bioprinting point to a future in which 3D-printed items are made of materials that incorporate living cells in tissue-like structures that can encourage cell-to-cell growth to regenerate tissue to enhance the functionality and longevity of dental prosthetics. Add to this technology, the prospect of artificial intelligence and machine learning systems that continue to improve, and the potential offered to dentistry could be profound.
If you’re considering adding a 3D printer to your practice, the ADA has a 3D Printing Guide available to provide insights into considerations around adding more digital to your dentistry.
You can find the guide at engage.ada.org.
