3-D Printing in Dentistry

Kelsey Watson
Kayla Garcia
03-09-2016

3-D Printing in Dentistry

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase 3D printing or even further,
3D printing in dentistry? In dentistry we know that time is money. Dentist and
their staff are always looking for new, innovative and quick ways to become more
efficient. Now, with the help of technology, 3D printing is here to contribute the
success of efficient dentistry.
According to Inderscience Publishers (2011), Instead of waiting days or weeks
for a cast to be produced and prosthetic dental implants, false teeth and
replacement crowns to be made, your dentist could quickly scan your jaw and
print your new teeth using a rapid prototyping machine known as a 3D
printer.
Our purpose for presenting this information is to show how it will benefit the entire
dental team. Three-dimensional printing will eliminate manual modeling and let
businesses grow. It also allows the dental office to grow towards a more complete
digital office. It is much faster and more efficient than the manual modeling that is
practiced now.
Three- dimensional printing is an additive process of making a 3D object of
virtually any shape from a digital image using a multitude of mediums, complete
with color and moving parts laying down materials in successive layers. The object
is created from the inside out. C. Lee Ventola (2014) says that This process is also
referred to as an additive manufacturing (AM), rapid prototyping (RP), or solid
freeform technology (SFF). The 3D printer acts much like a traditional printer at
home or even at a business, but your end result will be a three dimensional object.

3-D Printing in Dentistry

Kelsey Watson
Kayla Garcia
03-09-2016
According to Inderscience Publishers (2011), Almost any solid, porous, or
complicated shape can be produced by this 3D-printing technology.
Next, we will discuss the benefits of three dimensional printing. Because of
the technologys ability to print complicated shapes, it can fabricate a number of
different dental objects quickly and easily. Other benefits of 3D printing include but
are not limited to: the customization and personalization of dental products,
drugs, and equipment; cost-effectiveness; increased productivity; and enhanced
collaboration (Ventola 2014). Industrial 3D printing can eliminate the need for tool
production and, therefore, the costs, lead times and labor associated with it. This is
an extremely attractive proposition that an increasing number of manufacturers are
taking advantage of. Three dimensional printing is also emerging as an energyefficient technology. In addition, 3D printing allows ideas to develop faster than
ever. Being able to print a concept the same day it was designed eliminates the
development process from what might have been months to a matter of days at a
laboratory. As previously stated, this proves that three dimensional printing is
beneficial in more ways than one.
Three dimensional printing has already been introduced into the dental field
with great success from such a short period of time.
Researchers at University of Sheffield (2015) used the 3D printed guides to
repair nerve injuries using a novel mouse model developed in Sheffields
facility of Medicine, Dentistry and Health to measure nerve regrowth. They
were able to demonstrate successful repair over an injury gap of 3mm, in a
21 day period.

3-D Printing in Dentistry

Kelsey Watson
Kayla Garcia
03-09-2016
While certain three dimensional products have proven effective, there are cases
that are unsuccessful long term.
Such as International & American Associations for Dental Research (2015), A
patient diagnosed with severe destruction of periodontal tissues presented
for treatment to preserve his dentition. This treated site remained intact for
12 months following therapy but failed at 13 months. Although this case was
unsuccessful, the authors believed the approach warrants further study on
how 3D printing can be implemented for the reconstruction of dental and
craniofacial anomalies.
Researchers continue to improve and explore the use of 3D printing technology.
Three dimensional printing has come a long way in a short period of time, however,
more time will be needed to evolve on more revolutionary applications.
Now you know what exactly three dimensional printing is and just how
beneficial it can be to you and your dental team. Research has proven that this is
the future of lab fabrication. There will be more supporting research on three
dimensional print for years to come.

3-D Printing in Dentistry

Kelsey Watson
Kayla Garcia
03-09-2016

References

3D printing based on imaging data: Review of medical applications. (n.d.). Retrieved March 09,
2016, from http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11548-010-0476-x
Inderscience Publishers. (2011, July 14). Print your own teeth: Rapid prototyping comes to
dentistry. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 9, 2016 from
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110714101509.htm
International & American Associations for Dental Research. (2015, June 29). Exploreing 3-D printing
for oral, dental tissue engineering. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 9, 2016 from
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/06/150629180106.htm
University of Sheffield. (2015, February 23). 3D printed guides can help restore function in damaged
nerves. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 9, 2016 from
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150223104159.htm

3-D Printing in Dentistry

Kelsey Watson
Kayla Garcia
03-09-2016
Ventola, C. L. (2014). Medical Applications for 3D Printing: Current and Projected Uses. Pharmacy
and Therapeutics, 39(10), 704711.