The potential applications of 3D-printing are endless, and specifically promising in the medical and dental fields. As it is still a new technology, traditional laboratories see the major improvements and step by step turn to digital manufacturing.
Possibilities in dental resin 3D-Printing
Resin 3D-printing is ideal for dental applications due to the nature of dental parts. All parts are one-off custom parts, but quite similar in shape and size. In the traditional industry most processess are executed by craftmanship. With digital scanning and fabrication, higher accuracy and better fitting dental appliences can be manufactured. Resin 3D-printing is typically operating in the 10 – 100 micron accuracy (depending on 3D-printer, software and material combination), this is ideal for dental parts. Some example already used dental applications are:
Orthodontic model 3D-printing resin
In the field of orthodontic dentistry, models are the base to build and design an orthodontic appliance. In the traditional way an impression was made and a gypsum model is made in the dental laboratory. With scanning and 3D-printing technology, the patients mouth can be scanned and models can be 3D-printed in resin. Liqcreate Premium Model resin is perfect for orthodontic models. Since the introduction of the clear aligner years ago, more and more patients are choosing for this way of straightening their teeth. By scanning the mouth of the patient, software from for instance from 3Shape, Exocad and others can calculate in how many steps a clear aligner can straighten the teeth. The models for every step are 3D-printed in resin and a thermoplastic aligner is vacuum formed over it. The patient wears the first clear aligner for a short time (weeks) which will push the teeth slightly in the right direction. After a few weeks the second aligner will push the teeth even further. Followed by a couple more aligners, depending on the severity of the movements, after multiple weeks the teeth will be straigth.
Crown and bridge 3D-printing resin
Next to manual designing a porcelain crown or bridge, milling and 3D-printing are options to produce these applications. With milling a small block is used and material is taken away until a crown with perfect dimensions is generated. With resin 3D-printing, often a ceramic filled material is used to 3d-print the crown. After post-curing and polishing the crown will be ready to be placed in the patients mouth. There are plenty of suppliers of resin for 3D-printing dental Crowns and Bridges, to name a few: Dentca, Bego, Sprintray, NextDent, Detax, GC and many more.
Dental surgical guide resin
Since a couple years, 3D-printing dental surgical guides are becoming more mainstream. When a patient loses one or a few teeth, often an titanium based implant structure is chosen as an underground to build the a new crown or bridge on. Instead of drilling the implant hole free-handed, dental surgeons can now scan a patient jaw with CTCB scanner and model the perfect implant position before surgery. By designing a surgical guide the surgeon can precisely drill the holes. Especially in difficult cases this can increase success of the surgery.
Dental impression tray resin
Dental Impression trays are often made by hand in western Europe. Simple impression trays are prepared in minutes, but implant impression trays are often time consuming and difficult to make. After scanning a patient, software like 3Shape, Exocad etc, can model the impression tray in minutes. After printing with a biocompatible dental impression tray 3D-printing resin, the parts should be post-processed properly to maintain biocompatibility.
Full dentures and removable partial denture resin 3D-printing
Recently some developers launched biocompatible 3D-printing resins for long term full dentures. with similar scanning and designing technology as discussed earlier, they can model a digital denture in rigid pink material and combine it with either stock teeth, milled teeth or 3D-printed teeth. Some examples of 3D-printing resin for biocompatible digital dentures are; Dentca, NextDent, Dreve, Formlabs, DentsplySirona, Detax and others. For removable partial denture framework, Liqcreate Wax Castable resin is often used with success in combination with Chrome Cobalt.
Dental precision model resin for 3D-printing
For most dental applications discussed above, a physical model is required. After a digital scan, the physical model can be 3D-printed in resin from the scan data. Liqcreate offers two extremely accurate dental model materials, Dental Model Pro Grey and Dental Model Pro Beige. Both materials work seamlessly with Liqcreate Gingiva Mask, for models that require soft parts.
Benefits of digital dentistry and resin 3D-Printing
According to Angela Evenson DDS: Dentistry has relied on laboratories to produce crowns, bridges and other implants for many years. Why change to 3D printing technology now? In short, because everyone wins:
- Dental and orthopedic services are faster and more accurate:Â Manual model-making is time consuming while 3D printing allows for multiple appliances to be printed at once. Accuracy is also improved since 3D printers convert digital images into physical objects by printing 16-micron-thick layers one on top of the other. Increased production capacity and more accurate end results benefit both dentists and patients.
- Working with digital files is faster and easy: After scanning, a digital file of the patient’s mouth is recorded. This record can be saved in case the file is needed again. Another benefit is that the file can be send via the internet and can arrive at a manufacturing location in minutes instead of hours/days.
- Less time consuming: Manufacturing most dental appliences are much faster by digital design and manufacturing, saving time and thus costs.
Support
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Technical →
Resin 3D-printing is ideal for dental aligner production
In the production of Clear Aligners, a lot of dental models are needed to vacuum form the thermoplastic sheets on. For aligner models, accuracy, print speed and thermal stability are important. With the development of Premium Model, all these needs are met. Premium Model is compatible with professional and entry model resin 3D-printers. Bigger machines like the UnionTech Evodent S300 or the Cute 300 and Asiga Pro 4K 3D-printer are ideal to locally manufacture 100’s of aligner models each day.
Premium Model
Liqcreate Premium Model is a matte, opaque skin/peach colored photopolymer. Its matte color accentuates depth and detail in your dental models, which accommodates a perfect view on undercuts in 3D-printed models. 3D-printed parts from this material have exceptional dimensional stability and low shrinkage during printing. Liqcreate Premium Model is easy to use on all open source LCD and DLP 3D-printers in the range of 385 – 420nm. This material has excellent properties like low shrinkage and low odor, accuracy and dimensional stability, making it perfect for the production of dental models.
Key benefits |
3D-Printer compatibility |
| ·       Excellent dimensional stability | ·       Asiga Max & 4K Pro |
| ·    High detail | ·    Shining3D Accufab D1 |
| ·       Temperature resistant for aligner | ·    Phrozen & Anycubic Series |
|         production | ·    And many more |
| ·       Low shrinkage |
3D-printing Dental precision models with Liqcreate resin
The big build area of the UnionTech Cute 300 and UnionTech Evodent S300 support the production of 6 full sized models with inserts and 4 quarter models on one platform. Multiple runs of high quality models can be 3D-printed within the same day. When positioning aligner models vertically, over 32 aligner models will fit, making mass production easy. With this incredible output, your complete aligner production can be started in-house with a few printers. Learn more about this resin here.
Both Dental Model Pro Beige and Grey are ideal for accurate dental models. Important to note is that a high quality resin 3D-printer is needed which is aligned with Liqcreate resins to yield the best accuracy and results.
Dental Model Pro Beige
Liqcreate Dental Model Pro Beige is a matte, opaque beige colored photopolymer. Its matte surface finish accentuates depth and detail in dental models, which accommodates a perfect view on undercuts and other important markers. In addition, 3D-printed models from Dental Model Pro Beige are excellent for crown & bridge build-ups. 3D-printed parts from this material have exceptional dimensional stability and extremely low shrinkage during printing. Liqcreate Dental Model Pro Beige is easy to use on all open source SLA, MSLA and DLP 3D-printers in the range of 385 – 420nm. This material has excellent properties like low shrinkage and low odor, accuracy and dimensional stability, making it perfect for the production of dental models, C&B, thermoforming and aligner models.
Key benefits |
3D-Printer compatibility |
| ·       Excellent dimensional stability | ·       UnionTech Cute 300 4K DLP |
| ·       High detail & matte surface | ·    Asiga Max & 4K |
| ·       Low Shrinkage | ·    Ackuretta Dentiq |
| ·       Low Odor | ·    Photon, Phrozen & Elegoo series |
| ·       Extremely low shrinkage | ·    And many more |
Dental Model Pro Grey
Liqcreate Dental Model Pro Grey is a matte, opaque grey colored photopolymer. Its matte surface finish accentuates depth and detail in dental models, which accommodates a perfect view on undercuts and the surface is ideal for scan impressions. 3D-printed parts from this material have exceptional dimensional stability and low shrinkage during printing. Liqcreate Dental Model Pro Grey is easy to use on all open source SLA, MSLA and DLP 3D-printers in the range of 385 – 420nm. This material has excellent properties like low shrinkage and low odor, accuracy and dimensional stability, making it perfect for the production of dental models, C&B, thermoforming and aligner models.
Key benefits |
3D-Printer compatibility |
| ·       Excellent dimensional stability | ·       Asiga Max & 4K |
| ·       High detail & matte surface | ·    Ackuretta Dentiq |
| ·       Low Shrinkage | ·    Phrozon & Elegoo series |
| ·       Low Odor | ·    Photon series |
| ·       Extremely low shrinkage | ·    And many more |
Soft gingiva mask part on resin 3D-printed dental precision models
Highly precise models for bridges and implant superstructures often require a soft 3D-printed gingiva mask part to fit the structure on the model before treatment. Liqcreate Gingiva Mask works seamlessly with accurate dental model resins Liqcreate Dental Model Pro Beige and Grey to support these use-cases. As this resin is compatible with specialized dental and entry model 3D-printers, it supports small and big size dental laboratories and practices.
Gingiva Mask
Liqcreate Gingiva Mask is a pink colored photopolymer resin. It is a soft and flexible material that can be used in combination with Liqcreate Dental Model Pro Beige or Grey material. Gingiva Mask opens the possibility to create the soft part for highly precise models, bridges and implant superstructures. Liqcreate Gingiva Mask is easy to use on open MSLA / LCD, DLP and SLA 3D-printers in the range of 385 – 420nm. With its soft and flexible properties, it is perfect for the production of gum parts and soft tissue which supports dental implant models and C&B projects.
Key benefits |
3D-Printer compatibility |
| ·       Gum look | ·       Asiga Max & 4K |
| ·       Soft touch | ·    Ackuretta Dentiq |
| ·       Easy to use | ·    Phrozon & Elegoo series |
| ·       Good flexibility | ·    And many more |
Casting with Liqcreate Wax Castable dental 3D-printing resin
For the production of removable partial dentures (RPD), suprastructures and copings, Liqcreate Wax Castable is preferred by dental professionals. Its easy to use and works great with 3D-compatible investment materials and Chrome Cobalt.
Wax Castable
Liqcreate Wax Castable is a wax-based resin, perfect for manufacturing jewelry, dental and industrial parts using the direct investment casting method. Liqcreate Wax Castable is easy to use on all open source LCD/MSLA, DLP and laser based 3D-printers in the range of 385 – 420nm. 3D-printed parts from this material captures intricate features and show crisp details. This wax-based material offers smooth surfaces with clean burnout for a reliable casting process. Create custom made elegant organic geometries according to your preferences with excellent casting for positive and negative engravings.
Key benefits |
3D-Printer compatibility |
| ·       High precision | ·       Asiga Max and Pro 4K |
| ·       Wax based | ·    Phrozen3D series |
| ·       Clean & ash-free burnout | ·    Elegoo & Anycubic series |
| ·       Excellent casting of engravings | ·    And many more |
Software and compatible resin 3D-printers
Before digital manufacturing, either milling or 3D-printing these dental applications, a digital file is needed. Often scanners and software of 3Shape, Exocad, Planmeca, Medit or iTero are used. After converting the scan data to a workable file in the software, the design of the dental 3D-printing appliance can start. Almost every dental lab can work with Liqcreate resins as currently over 48 compatible resin 3D-printers are available. From professional brands like Asiga, RapidShape, UnionTech and Sprintray Moonray, also entry model machines are compatible. Learn more about compatible resin 3D-printers here or send an e-mail to info@liqcreate.com for more information.
