3d printing of removable dentures. D printer and dental prosthetics. Direct production. Production assessment

3D printers are increasingly occupying important place anyone at work dental clinic, dental laboratory, research centers. With their help, dentists not only improve the quality of their products and services, but also save significant money. In addition, 3D printers in dentistry guarantee faster production rates and incredible precision of finished products.

How 3D printers are improving the dental business

3D printers relieve dentists from a very complex and time-consuming process in their work - manual modeling of dentures, crowns and other products. Clients no longer need to wait for a long time and go through the entire difficult process from the first visit to the installation of the final structure, going through a series of fittings and modifications. Now they just need to do a scan oral cavity- and soon get excellent results.

Dental technicians usually rely on a steady hand and good vision, their work is very labor intensive and takes a lot of time to get an acceptable result. 3D printing outputs dental business on production capacity and provides consistent accuracy. You can now use oral images and scans to quickly CAD/CAM model and 3D print crowns, bridges, plaster models and unique orthodontic instruments.

The unique shape of each client's tooth is incredibly difficult to convey using hand made or milling machine. However, dental 3D printers make complex and outdated manufacturing methods unnecessary. Thanks to the latest technologies and using the most modern materials, you get finished products several times faster than before. But the main thing is that dental models printed on a 3D printer exactly repeat all the nuances of the original sample.

What advantages does 3D printing offer dentists:

• you can store all the anatomical data of patients in digital form, no more casts and samples - just print the desired model on a 3D printer;
• significantly speeding up the production of required products;
• fully automatic printing process, which eliminates the human factor;
• increasing production volumes without additional personnel - your clients no longer need to wait for weeks for a master to become available;
• incredible manufacturing precision - no more errors and no more need to make new samples;
• the use of the most advanced technologies will have a positive effect on the image of your company

How it works: we use a 3D printer to produce dentures

1. You scan the patient's oral cavity using a scanner, MRI or CT.	2. Process the received data using special software.
3. Print the required model (or mold) on a dental 3D printer.	4. Make a finished prosthesis using models from a 3D printer.
5. Install a prosthesis for the patient.

Video: how 3D printers are used in dentistry

Spurred by accelerated technological progress, the world is changing faster than ever. One of the most dynamic areas in this change is 3D printing, and one of its most suitable applications in medicine is dentistry. It is in dentistry that not only the speed and accuracy of 3D printing are most critical, but also the special properties of materials for it, such as safety, biocompatibility, and compliance with strict medical parameters. We will talk about the properties of the latest 3D printed materials for dentistry in this review.

For example, let's look at the products of NextDent B.V. - a Dutch company spun off in 2012 from Vertex-Dental B.V., which at that time had been successfully dealing with dental materials for more than 76 years. NextDent takes part in the development of materials medical institutes Holland and Germany, and all products undergo strict control and certification. It is unlikely that a more suitable example could be found.

1. NextDent Base

NextDent Base is a Class IIa biocompatible material suitable for printing all types of denture bases. This material has low shrinkage compared to standard denture materials, resulting in an excellent fit of denture bases. A small amount of residual monomer remaining after subsequent processing makes this material more biocompatible.

NextDent 3D dental materials are supplied in 1000 ml containers.

Specifications:

• Color: shades of pink
• Brookfield viscosity at 23°C: 1.0 - 1.5 Pa s
• Solubility with water: ≤ 1.6 µg/mm3
• Amount of residual monomer: ≤ 1%
• Shore hardness: D 80 - 90

2. NextDent SG (Surgical Guide)

NextDent SG is a biocompatible, Class I certified material designed for printing surgical templates (guides for more precise drilling and faster surgery). High accuracy of the material - consistency in maintaining exact dimensions and transparency - allows for precise positioning of the drill and other surgical instruments when working as a dentist.

NextDent SG is resistant to disinfectants. In addition, this material can be sterilized using gamma rays and an autoclave. The use of an autoclave does not affect dimensional stability, so NextDent SG can be used in any dental office.

Specifications:

• Color: translucent orange
• Sterilization at 134°C: Maximum - 5 min.
• Shore hardness: D 80 - 90

3. NextDent C&B

NextDent C&B is a Class IIa biocompatible material for printing crowns and bridges (1-3 teeth). The properties of the material, combined with its abrasion resistance, make NextDent C&B ideal for this purpose. NextDent C&B products can be cemented with dental cement.

Specifications:

• Color: different
• Brookfield viscosity at 23°C: 0.9 - 1.4 Pa s
• Bending strength: ≥ 85 MPa
• Flexural modulus: ≥ 2,100 MPa
• Shore hardness: D 80 - 90

4. NextDent C&B MFH (microfilled hybrid material)

NextDent C&B MFH is a Class IIa biocompatible material designed for printing mid-term crowns and bridges. A balanced combination of inorganic fillers and resins gives the material high strength and wear resistance.

The material is easy to process and polish, products can be painted with all types of applied composite painting kits. Thanks to the perfect balance between opacity and translucency, the printed crown is visually indistinguishable from natural teeth.

Specifications:

• Color: different
• Bending strength: ≥ 100 MPa
• Flexural modulus: ≥ 2,400 MPa
• Water absorption: ≤ 30 μg/mm3
• Solubility with water: ≤ 5 µg/mm3
• Load intensity factor: ≥ 1.5 MPa 1/2
• Strength: ≥ 7,000 J/m2

5. NextDent Ortho Clear

NextDent Ortho Clear is another Class IIa biocompatible material for all types of dental orthoses and aligners. It is transparent and almost invisible when used daily by the patient. This is a 3D printing material characterized by high bending and impact strength, as well as wear resistance. Suitable for printers with wavelength 365 - 385 nm.

Specifications:

• Color: transparent
• Brookfield viscosity at 23°C: 0.8 - 1.3 Pa s
• Bending strength: unlimited
• Flexural modulus: ≥ 1,300 MPa
• Water absorption: ≤ 65 μg/mm3
• Solubility with water: ≤ 5 µg/mm3
• Load intensity factor: ≥ 1.1 MPa 1/2
• Strength: ≥ 6,000 J/m2
• Shore hardness: D 80 - 90

6. NextDent Ortho IBT

NextDent Ortho IBT is a biocompatible, certified first class material for orthodontic applications - creating trays for positioning. Using appropriate software, the dentist can plan the exact placement and shape of braces for different corrective effects.

Thanks to the flexible characteristics of the printed products, the orthodontist can easily place all the brackets at once, saving both his and the patient's time.

Specifications:

• Color: transparent
• Brookfield viscosity at 23°C: 1.1 - 1.6 Pa s
• Tensile strength: 12 - 18%
• Shore hardness: A 80 - 90

7. NextDent Ortho Rigid

NextDent Ortho Rigid is a Class IIa biocompatible material that is designed to digital manufacturing aligners and orthoses. Combined with the appropriate software, it allows you to easily design and print these products without additional post-printing processes.

Specifications:

• Color: transparent blue
• Brookfield viscosity at 23 °C: 0.8 - 1.3 Pa s
• Bending strength: ≥ 75 MPa
• Flexural modulus: ≥ 1,800 MPa
• Load intensity factor: ≥ 0.9 MPa/2
• Water absorption: ≤ 32 μg/mm3
• Solubility with water: ≤ 5 µg/mm3
• Strength: ≥ 3,000 J/m2
• Shore hardness: D 80 - 90

8. NextDent Model

NextDent Model is designed for printing detailed master models where high precision is required. The models accurately convey all the nuances of the location and shape of the elements of the scanned jaw, thanks to color and opacity, and have an ideal surface for the dentist to obtain accurate representation about the object of treatment. Accurate 3D printed models are the ideal basis for more efficient work on creating teeth.

Specifications:

• Color: sand or beige
• Brookfield viscosity at 23 °C: 0.7 - 1.2 Pa s
• Shore hardness: D 80 - 90

9.NextDent Model Ortho

NextDent Model Ortho is a material for printing models used in vacuum casting. This material allows you to print faster and easier than other modeling materials, but provides slightly less accuracy.

Specifications:

• Color: beige opaque
• Brookfield viscosity at 23 °C: 1.0 - 1.5 Pa s
• Bending strength: ≥ 40 MPa
• Flexural modulus: ≥ 1,000 MPa
• Shore hardness: D 80 - 90

10. NextDent Tray

NextDent Tray is a first-class, biocompatible, certified material designed for 3D printing of custom trays for the manufacture of dentures. The material allows for high-precision volumetric digital printing at high speed.

NextDent Tray makes it possible to create even the most complex shapes within a few minutes. The printed forms have sufficient rigidity for further work with any type of impression material, which makes it possible to create high-quality and high-precision products.

Specifications:

• Colors: blue, pink
• Brookfield viscosity at 23 °C: 0.9 - 1.4 Pa s
• Bending strength: ≥ 80 MPa
• Flexural modulus: ≥ 2,000 MPa
• Shore hardness: D80 - 90

11. NextDent Gingiva Mask

Flexibility of 3D printed models.

NextDent Gingiva Mask is a flexible material that can be used in combination with a model material, for example, for partial or large-scale gum replacement. Has a specific advantage in cases where greater flexibility is required.

Specifications:

• Pink colour
• Brookfield viscosity at 23 °C: 1.1 - 1.6 Pa s
• Tensile strength: 15 - 25%

12. NextDent Cast

NextDent Cast is a fully burnable metal casting material. NextDent Cast is suitable for the production of all types of dental products made from metal alloys. Simply design, print and use it with other recommended molding and metal pouring materials. Burning out without leaving any residue during the casting process, NextDent Cast allows you to create the most accurate metal orthodontic products and prostheses.

Specifications:

• Color: Purple
• Brookfield viscosity at 23 °C: 1.1 - 1.6 Pa s
• Shore hardness: D 80 - 90

Want more interesting news from the world of 3D technology?

3D printing technology is actively developing. Already today, 3D printers are used in many industries, including in the field of digital dentistry. Using this technology, dentists are able to make dentures, implants, and models. A 3D printer in dentistry is already successfully and widely replacing traditional equipment.

Before the advent of such technologies, dentists had to make the necessary prostheses using impressions, but this task was quite complex and impractical, and also required a lot of time. This is explained by the fact that after creating the prosthesis, it must be adjusted individually to the relief features of the patient’s tooth. This is a very difficult and lengthy task.

1. 3D printer in dentistry

Thanks to modern 3D scanning technologies, dentists have the opportunity to recreate exact copies internal cavity the patient’s mouth – teeth and gums. After this, it is much easier for the doctor to make a prosthesis that exactly matches all the patient’s characteristics. In addition, 3D printers create copies of a human jaw very quickly, which significantly saves time.

It is worth noting that modern 3D printers in dentistry can print with various materials. For example, relatively recently it was developed new material for 3D printing in dentistry, which is called Veroglaze. The polymer material differs in strength and rigidity. At the same time, the developers claim that it can be used for any dental purposes.

This means that today a denture suitable for implantation can be produced using a 3D printer. At the same time, the accuracy created prosthesis It's simply amazing. The finished product requires virtually no adjustment. This, in turn, will reduce the cost of dental services and improve their quality.

Considering these features of 3D printing technology, we can safely say that a 3D printer for dentistry is an indispensable tool in medicine and prosthetics.

1.1. Benefits of 3D technology

First of all, it is worth noting a number of main advantages:

• High printing accuracy. That is, the printer creates an almost perfect copy;
• Manufacturing speed;
• Three-dimensional scanning. This saves the dentist from unnecessary procedures and allows you to make an exact copy of the patient’s oral cavity;
• Opportunity to work with different materials, including biocompatible ones.

2. 3D printing to help dentists: Video

All these advantages bring the 3D printer in medicine to new level. Moreover, the technology is actively developing, new materials are being developed that can be used in medicine. In addition, there is a project to develop biological materials and special 3D printers that can recreate exact copies of human organs. Modern 3D printing technologies are already opening up new opportunities in medicine, in particular in dentistry. It is quite possible that in the near future such technologies will completely replace traditional ways production of dental and joint prostheses, and will also allow the creation of real organs suitable for transplants.