How 3D Printing is Revolutionising Dentistry

 

The use of 3D printing is expanding across all industries, and dentistry is no exception. As the technology advances, we’re seeing many common dental procedures enhanced and transformed.

Dentists have realised many benefits from 3D printing, providing the ability to quickly create custom tools, prosthesis and dental impacts. This advanced scanning technology enables dentists to create exact replicas of any part of the mouth, affording a range of benefits for both the dentist and the patient.

In this article, we’ll look at how 3D printing is revolutionising the dental experience for patients.

What does 3D printing help dentists achieve?

The dental 3D printing industry is expected to grow at a rate of 17% each year, thanks to such a wide range of applications that are revolutionising the way dentists diagnose and treat patients. In short, 3D printing helps dentists achieve things that were never before possible.

Thanks to this new-found ability to quickly create exact replicas of body parts, specialists can create dental implants and corrective appliances to a much higher degree of accuracy. That means they fit and operate better on the individual patient.

The advent of 3D printing has also led to the production of material blends that look and function more like natural teeth. These new materials are lightweight and exceptionally tough – just like tooth enamel. Over time and with daily wear, it’s natural for teeth to become decayed or broken. 3D printing enables dentists to easily manufacture tooth replacements and caps, as well as tooth-coloured fillings that blend naturally with the mouth.