To many people, the technology of 3D printing sounds like a made-up science fiction concept. A machine that creates objects seemingly out of thin air? How could this be possible? But in fact, 3D printers are real, and rapidly becoming more affordable and practical for a wide range of applications. Like the self-driving car, it’s a difficult to believe concept that is on the verge of turning different industries on their heads. One unexpected field that stands to benefit massively from this technology? Dentistry.
With the full development of the current technology, what could once require weeks or months to do can now take a matter of minutes, saving money and time.
What is 3D printing?
The possibilities and concerns regarding this new technology have been discussed often, but many people still find themselves wondering: how does 3D printing work?
Typically, a 3D printer builds a model from scratch of an object that was pre-loaded into the computer software. It deposits tiny layer after tiny layer of a material, which can be different types of plastic, metal, ceramic or paper.
However, dental 3D printing will likely be a little different. Instead of slowly building up the object, the most popular dental 3D printers currently in use actually chip away at an existing block of material (generally ceramic), making the process more like computer-assisted sculpting than printing. The devices used for this process are known as CEREC machines (Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics). The concept of CEREC has been around since 2005, but only with the advent of 3D printers has it become feasible for widespread use.
How will dentists use 3D printers?
3D printing technology can be used to make any type of dental implant, from crowns and bridges to an entire tooth to a full set of dentures. As the process currently works, the dentist makes a physical mold of your tooth, then sends it off to the lab for the implant to be made. The process can take weeks and is riddled with potential for things to go wrong -- the temporary crown breaks, the permanent crown comes back ill fitting, etc.
With 3D printers, your dentist can insert a camera into your mouth and turn on the software, which will instantly create a digital model of the necessary piece. After that, the information is fed to the printer, and your new tooth or crown can be ready in a matter of minutes, built to your exact specifications with little room for error.
What are the downsides to dental 3D printing?
At this point, the biggest problem is simply the dental 3D printer price. The technology is still very expensive, and though it’s already begun making its way into a handful of dentist’s offices around Australia, it will likely take a while before these machines are widespread. However, as technology progresses, the cost drops dramatically. 3D printers are already far cheaper than they were just a year or two ago, and the price will continue to go down. Plus, purchasing one piece of expensive equipment is more cost-effective over time than relying on a laboratory to do the work out of house. In the near future, we’re guaranteed to reach the tipping point at which a dental 3D printer is simply a common sense investment.
- Submitted by Dr Jermey Rourke, of Star Dental Care, a Cosmetic and Dental Clinic in Port Macquarie, NSW