Using 3D Printing Technology to Improve Dental Care
What about using 3D printing technology to improve dental care? True progress is being made!
Market Prospects for 3D-Printed Teeth
From an anticipated USD 3.2 billion in 2022, the dental 3D printing market is expected to surge to a whopping USD 7.9 billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 20.2%.
The growing geriatric population, rising demand for dentistry, increasing adoption of dental 3D printers in dental hospitals and clinics, and the rising prevalence of cavities and other dental diseases are all factors propelling the dental 3D printing medical devices market. However, it is expected that the increasing prevalence of large dental practices will restrain the expansion of the market to some degree.
To what end does 3D printing technology contribute to the dental profession?
It has been predicted that 3D printing will revolutionize the manufacturing industry. 3D printing, already widely used in industries like aerospace and defense as well as the arts and fashion, is gaining considerable traction as a potential game-changer in the operating room. The field of dentistry has found a special place for this technology due to its applicability there; as 3D imaging and modeling tools improve, such as with cone beam CT and intraoral scanning, and as the field's relatively long history of using CAD-CAM technologies grows, so too will the field's accelerating importance in dentistry. Assembling drill guides for dental implants, creating physical models for prosthodontics, orthodontics, and surgery, fabricating copings and frameworks for implant and dental restorations, and manufacturing dental, craniomaxillofacial, and orthopedic implants are all examples of how 3D printing is used in the dental and medical fields.
Digital dentistry is being pushed forward by 3D printing. It has a stellar reputation for durability and superior craftsmanship. Dental technology has advanced significantly since the first desktop 3D printers became commercially available. Dental labs and practices of all sizes now have access to 3D printers, whereas this was previously only possible for the largest labs. The computer-guided precision needed to produce tiny objects with intricate details is provided by dental 3D printers using light or a laser to polymerize a liquid.
Recent Developments in 3D Printing for the Dental Industry
The advancement of 3D printing is primarily focused on two fronts: the introduction of novel materials and the acceleration of the manufacturing process. There will be many dental applications for new biocompatible materials that mimic the aesthetic result of ceramics. This will allow the dentist to create the appliance for the patient while they wait in the dental chair, thanks to the lightning-fast production time.
The term "3D printing" refers to a manufacturing method in which an object is constructed by successively adding thinner layers of material to form the final product. Rapid prototyping and the more accurate term, additive manufacturing, describe this method. Many current 3D printing modalities were originally developed and used in the late 1980s and early 1990s, proving that 3D printing is not a brand-new field of study. In 1999, the first patient was successfully treated with the aid of 3D printing.
However, the concept of "3D printing" is still quite novel, and it has quickly become popular with the general public. The use of 3D printing has been met with much fanfare because it is seen as a disruptive technology that will fundamentally alter the manufacturing sector.
The wave of technological progress that has brought 3D printing to where it is today includes significant contributions from advances in computer technology and software applications. When it comes to dentistry and surgery, we have ready access to volumetric data in the form of computed tomography (CT) data, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) data, and intraoral or laboratory optical surface scan data, all of which can be used to create objects to print with 3D printing software. The field of restorative and implant dentistry is undergoing a widespread transformation as a result of recent advances in CBCT and optical scan technology, in particular. Dentists and dental technicians, who have access to these cutting-edge technological tools, are typically polymaths with a deep well of creativity and an understanding of technology, including engineering and materials skills that far surpass those of many of their peers in their respective fields. Subtractive manufacturing, also known as "milling," has a long history of use in dentistry.
The process of subtractive manufacturing entails the removal of raw materials in order to shape a final product. The use of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) in the production of dental restorations such as crown copings and bridge frameworks has become ubiquitous in contemporary dental practice. Materials compatible with computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD-CAM) machines have become commonplace in modern dentistry as a cost-effective alternative to traditional precious metal casting alloys. Because of this technological advancement, dental technicians are now free to devote their manual skills to more artistic aspects of the manufacturing process, such as the aesthetic layering of porcelain, which would have been impossible without the use of such materials.
It goes without saying that each patient, jaw, tooth, and implant is different, and therefore each dental restoration and reconstruction procedure is also different. Inherent complexity in the reconstruction or restoration will call for the faithful recreation of intricate geometry. Although this is possible with multi-axis CAD/CAM milling processes, due to the material being milled from an intact block, the process is time-consuming and wasteful, and the accuracy is constrained by the complexity of the object, the size of the tooling, and the properties of the material. But 3D printing really shines when it comes to the precise, one-off fabrication of complex structures out of a wide range of materials with highly desirable properties for use in dentistry and surgery.
Making use of 3D printing in the Dental Field
Some of the 3D-printing technologies currently available and used in the dental industry include digital light processing, selective laser melting, stereolithography, and fused deposition modeling. Dental prostheses, including temporary crowns and bridges, permanent restorations, occlusal splints, aligners, and removable dentures, are all within the realm of 3D printing's capabilities. Additive manufacturing, which combines high standards of quality and care for patients with competitive prices and streamlined processes, is making digital dentistry a no-brainer investment.
In modern dentistry, 3D printing is used frequently through the processes of stereolithography (SLA), digital light processing (DLP), and material jetting. The quality of the machines and systems varies widely, despite the fact that they can all provide the precision and accuracy necessary for dental applications.
In stereolithography (SLA), a laser beam is used to selectively expose a pool of liquid resin across the print area, curing it in the places where it has been exposed. The accuracy and smoothness of the finished product are both best in class when using stereolithography. Because of their high resolution, versatility, and large build volumes, SLA printers can be used for a wide range of projects. Changing materials is as easy as replacing the resin tank and cartridge. Because of their small size, ease of use, and low price, desktop SLA printers are a great option for dental clinics and practices.
In contrast to SLA's use of a laser to harden the resin, digital light processing (DLP) employs a digital projector to achieve the same result. DLP printers are more expensive than desktop SLA printers, but they have a smaller footprint, are easier to use, and can print in a wider variety of materials. DLP components, being digitally displayed, are prone to showing voxel lines layers made from small rectangular bricks and have a lower-quality surface finish.
The term "material jetting" refers to a technique for depositing substances onto a surface using high-velocity projectiles (PolyJet and MultiJet Modeling) 3D printers are similar to inkjet printers in that they squirt layers of liquid resin onto a build tray and cure the layers with light, but instead of printing on paper. Once widely used in the dental industry, material jetting techniques have since seen a decline in popularity due to their high price and cumbersome size. Surface finishes on objects printed with this technology are typical of lower quality than those printed with SLA or DLP because of the extensive post-processing required. While material jetting systems offer high throughput, they are limited in their applications by the high cost of proprietary materials.
Conclusion
Numerous novel dental treatments and approaches to the manufacturing of dental restorations are possible thanks to the versatility and potential of 3D printing in the field. There is currently no official guidance from national regulatory organizations regarding the use of 3D printing in surgical or dental procedures, but this will change at some point in the future. Although 3D printing equipment and technologies have been widely available for over a decade, only recently have advances and access to scanner technology, computer-aided design software, and raw computational power begun to make the technology practical. Commercial and public interest has also helped raise awareness and improve access to resources.