3D Printing: The Future of Dentistry?

Posted by: Dr. Sirakian Categories: Cosmetic Dentistry

When you think of going to the dentist, the only printing you might think of is for patient forms. However, with the introduction of 3D Printing technology into dentistry, it may soon become possible for your doctor to “print” you a new tooth, dentures, or retainer while you wait!

3D Printing is a burgeoning technology that allows users to enter digital information into a special printer to produce 3D models based on exact specifications. The technology has already been found to be incredibly useful in various fields, including healthcare, but it is expected that over the next decade it will become widely adopted by dentists to treat patients with more efficiency than ever.

3D Printing is already used in dentistry, but due to the high cost and large size of 3D printers, it has been limited to larger labs that have the budget and volume to make them feasible. These printers are primarily used to create highly accurate models of a patient’s teeth and mouth to assist in treatment planning.

As the technology continues to advance, however, 3D printers will get smaller, faster, and cheaper, making it viable for dentists to start using them right in their offices. There are already several 3D printers created specifically for dentists. Those using them are finding they save time and expense by allowing them to “print” models and surgical guides onsite that they once had to send out to a lab.

While the actual printing of teeth seems far-fetched, it seems to be where the technology is headed. Resins and other materials are being developed for use in 3D Printing that allows for the creation of safe, long-lasting replacement teeth, crowns, veneers, inlays, etc. Not to mention other dental appliances like custom clear aligners and retainers!

Imagine a future where impressions of your teeth are no longer taken using a messy paste and you don’t have to wait for models to be sent out to labs to be created. Instead, you’re “impression” will be taken with a digital oral scanner (already available!) and fed into a desktop 3D printer in your dentist’s office that prints out an exact model of your mouth in minutes. After using that model to develop a treatment plan, that same printer could even print out your new partial denture, retainer, implant, etc.

Seem like science fiction? Believe it or not, this scenario is coming sooner than you think!

The Steps to Becoming a Dentist

If you’ve ever thought that a career in dentistry might be right for you, then read this! To become a dentist, you have to be willing to complete multiple years of school and be patient enough to work with people. How it starts: Complete a bachelors degree Completing a bachelor’s degree is step one in […]

Gum Health: Indicative Of More Than A Healthy Smile

What’s the cause of 90% of tooth loss? According to the ADA, gum disease and tooth decay are the major culprits. However, if we take the correct measures to keep our gums healthy, the future looks much brighter for our smiles… and our bodies. When there is a buildup of bacteria in the mouth, our […]

What’s the Link Between Gum Disease and Your Prostate?

Every year, more than 3 million men suffer from prostatitis. Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate that can cause pain, difficulty urinating, and even flu-like symptoms. While this is a fairly common disease, what isn’t as commonly known about it is that prostatitis and gum disease are linked. One study found that men who […]

Are Your Teeth Responsible for That Headache?

Swallowing doesn’t seem like strenuous exercise, but consider the fact that people do it on average 2000 times a day and suddenly it starts adding up. Most people can handle this rigorous exercise routine, but people with missing teeth or poor tooth alignment have to put a little bit more effort into swallowing, resulting in […]

Is There a Link Between Cancer and Poor Oral Health?

If you suffer from swollen gums, missing teeth, or other poor oral health symptoms, then you may be at a higher risk of contracting human papillomavirus. Known as HPV, the human papillomavirus is a sexually transmitted disease that results in cancers of the cervix, mouth, and throat. If you have poor oral hygiene, you are […]