3D Printing in Dentistry – A New Landmark in Affordable Healthcare

The integration of Photopolymer 3D printing in dentistry has revolutionized the field by offering enhanced precision, improved materials, streamlined processes and lower costs. Photopolymers play an invaluable role for an affordable, improved and cost-efficient healthcare system.

Find out how 3D printing in dentistry offers multiple usage applications, such as implants or orthodontic treatment and how it customises the treatment of every single patient due to the bespoke properties of photopolymer resin.

3D printing for dental implants

By using 3D printing for dental implants, professionals can create patient-specific implants tailored to the individual's unique anatomy and needs. 3D printing for dental implants has opened up new possibilities for personalised and advanced implant solutions, leading to improved outcomes and satisfaction for both patients and dental professionals.

3D printing is utilised to manufacture various prosthetic components used in the implant restoration process, such as abutments and crowns. These components can be precisely designed to fit the implant and the patient's surrounding teeth, resulting in improved aesthetics and functionality. This level of customization ensures a better fit and reduces the need for extensive modifications during the surgery.

Orthodontic treatment

3D printing in dentistry allows for the production of custom orthodontic brackets tailored to each patient's tooth anatomy. These brackets can be designed to fit securely and efficiently. As an example, photopolymer 3D printing is widely used to create clear aligners.

Orthodontists start by taking digital scans of the patient's teeth, which are then used to design a series of aligners that gradually move the teeth into the desired positions. In this process, the moulds are 3D printed, while the aligners are thermoformed by using plastic films such as polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

Surgical guides

Photopolymer 3D printing has become a game-changer in the production of surgical guides for various dental procedures, including orthodontics, implantology and maxillofacial surgery. Photopolymer 3D printing is ideal for surgical guides because it can achieve high levels of detail and accuracy, which is crucial for successful surgical outcomes.

Surgical guides are essential tools that aid surgeons in performing precise and minimally invasive procedures. During the surgery, the surgical guide is placed over the patient's anatomy and guides the surgeon to make precise incisions, position implants or to perform other procedures. The guide ensures that the surgical actions are carried out exactly as planned, reducing the risk of errors or complications.

Educational purposes

3D printing has opened up new possibilities for dental education and training, allowing dental students and professionals to gain practical experience and improve patient communication. Photopolymer 3D printing allows the creation of highly accurate and detailed anatomical models of teeth, jaws, and oral structures. These physical models provide dental students with hands-on learning opportunities.

3D-printed models can be used for surgical simulations, allowing dental students to practise various dental procedures in a risk-free environment. This includes practising tooth extractions, implant placements and other surgical techniques. Dental schools can even use 3D printing to produce patient-specific models based on real clinical cases. These models serve as teaching tools, allowing students to better explore different treatment options and develop treatment plans for specific patients.

In dentistry, photopolymers are widely used in a specific type of 3D printing technology known as photopolymer 3D printing or stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing. This additive manufacturing technique uses photopolymer resins as the printing material.

While photopolymers offer numerous benefits in dentistry, it's essential to choose the appropriate resin for each specific application to ensure optimal performance and patient safety.

Dental professionals should consider factors such as biocompatibility, mechanical properties as well as aesthetic characteristics when selecting the proper photopolymer resins for various dental procedures.

Photopolymers are composed of 3 components: monomers, photoinitiators as well as additives. When exposed to specific wavelengths of light, these components undergo a photopolymerization reaction and transform from a liquid or gel-like state into a solid material.

Monomers/Oligomers

Monomers are molecules that have reactive sites enabling them to bond chemically with other monomers. When multiple monomers undergo chemical reactions and join together they form chains known as polymers. This entire process is referred to as polymerization. Monomers are usually organic compounds and the properties and functionalities they possess determine the characteristics of the resulting polymer.

On the other hand oligomers are larger than monomers but smaller than polymers. They consist of monomers and act as intermediate products formed during polymerization. Oligomers serve as a connection between monomers and fully polymerized chains displaying unique properties and functions based on the specific monomer units they contain and how they are bonded together.

Photoinitiators

Photoinitiators are activated by exposure to specific wavelengths of light and initiate the polymerization reaction of monomers and oligomers. When photoinitiators are exposed to light, they absorb the light energy, causing the molecules to transition from a ground state to a higher energy state.

In their excited state, the photoinitiators become unstable and undergo a chemical transformation, leading to the formation of highly reactive species, such as free radicals or cations. These free radicals or cations then initiate the polymerization reaction by attacking and binding to the double bonds present in the monomers or oligomers. As a result, the monomers and oligomers start to form cross-linked polymer chains, transforming the liquid or gel-like material into a solid state.

Additives

Additives are substances added to the photopolymer resin to enhance or modify its properties during the 3D printing process. These additives are carefully selected to optimise the performance of the resin for specific applications, such as dental models, surgical guides, clear aligners and other dental appliances.

Stabilisers are added to the photopolymer resin to prevent premature polymerization or degradation during storage or exposure to light.

They help maintain the resin's integrity and ensure consistent printing performance over time.

Modifiers are additives used to adjust specific properties of the photopolymer resin. They can alter the resin's viscosity, curing speed, flexibility or mechanical properties, making it suitable for various 3D printing applications. Some photopolymer resins used in dental 3D printing may also contain colourants. These colourants provide the desired colour to the printed dental appliances, such as clear aligners or surgical guides.

Q1: How is 3D Printing Used for Dental Implants?

A1: 3D printing for dental implants allows for the creation of patient-specific implants that are tailored to individual anatomical requirements. This technology is used to manufacture various prosthetic components like abutments and crowns, ensuring a precise fit and improved aesthetics.

Q2: What are the Advantages of Using 3D Printing in Dental Practices?

A2: The advantages of using 3D printing in dentistry include enhanced precision, customization, and material efficiency, leading to better patient care and reduced costs. Additionally, it minimizes waste and optimizes resource use, contributing to more sustainable practices.

Q3: Can 3D Printing be Used for Orthodontic Treatments?

A3: Yes, 3D printing is instrumental in producing custom orthodontic appliances like brackets and clear aligners. It allows for the creation of aligners tailored to each patient's tooth anatomy, improving the fit and effectiveness of orthodontic treatments.

Q4: What Materials are Used in 3D Printing for Dentistry?

A4: Photopolymers are primarily used in dental 3D printing. These materials undergo a chemical reaction when exposed to light, transforming from a liquid to a solid state. The choice of resin is crucial and depends on factors like biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and aesthetics.