Three-dimensional (3D) printing was first invented in 1989 by 3D systems with the evolution and patent of its stereolithography technology. This technology used ultraviolet lasers to generate more accurate parts. Today, with the advent of technology, 3D printing is becoming more common and has been widely adopted by various industries, including the healthcare sector.
Dentistry has also recognised the numerous advantages of 3D printing in dental procedures. They’ve realised how they can produce more precise and accurate implants within the shortest time possible. So, can 3D printing help reduce denture implant costs? The short answer is yes. Read on for a deeper explanation.
The production process is simplified
The production process for creating dental implants can be indeed long. Before the production, your dentist must first examine your jaw to determine the type of dentures you may require. After that, they take the dimensions of how your jaws relate to one another and the distance between them. Then, they develop models of the exact form and location the dentures should be placed. You must fit this model several times until an accurate one is achieved. This can considerably take more time leading to higher dental implant dentures costs.
Moreover, 3D printing streamlines the entire process. With the imaging data of your scan, the 3D printer produces exact dentures that fit your jaws perfectly.
Enhances in-office printing
Dentists require dental laboratories to be able to produce denture implants. They may also require prosthodontists who are well-versed with implants to ensure they achieve outstanding outcomes. This certainly adds to higher costs of implant retained dentures Australia.
Generally, 3D printers are cost-effective with more compact sizes. This means that they don’t take up much space and thus can be operated in a conventional office space. This saves on the need for a laboratory. Besides that, 3D printers are user-friendly, meaning dentists can learn, understand and use them without much hassle. As a result, they won’t need a specialist as they can do the work themselves.
Encourages the production of more customised implants
Usually, when you require more personalised snap in dentures Australia, your dentists handcraft them for you. They take a lot of time matching your dentures to your teeth’s colour and jaw structure. This can make them charge you more. In addition, 3D printers enhance the production of more customised dentures. They take the instructions and produce more accurate dentures that don’t require comprehensive trimming and polishing.
Dentures in 3D are produced faster
Conventional dentures may take several weeks to months for dentists to make them. They need to design, mould and try them on you to ensure it perfectly suits your jaws. In case of any error, they have to trim them until they achieve the desired structure. This already seems tedious and time-consuming, and dentists may charge you more.
With 3D printers, there are fewer fitting invasive sessions. This is because the digital scanner captures all the details of your jawbones and gums within seconds. After this, the printers generate the dentures in some hours, if not minutes.
More accurate outcomes
There’s a significant difference between implant dentures before and after the advent of 3D printing technology in dentistry. Dentists can now use sophisticated scanning technology to produce human jaws and teeth replicas. With such specific duplicates to work with, dentists can produce denture implants that fit well, look better, and function best for every patient. This cuts the costs due to errors in handcrafting the dentures.
Moreover, 3D printers ensure top-level accuracy by offering:
- High-resolution printing accelerates structural precision and generates the best final dentures.
- The 3D printable resins have lower shrinkage when curing and printing. This hinders machine aberration and maintains higher accuracy.
- Software that enables dental technicians to entirely manage interior and exterior dimensions, fostering general precision and eradicating drilling steps.
Better quality materials
Conventional dentures are made of acrylic resin, which wears out faster and promptly faces abrasion. This means you have to replace them more often, which may be costly. Thankfully, the materials used to generate 3D printed implant overdentures are advancing, including a wide array of composites. These composites are combinations of materials with unique characteristics that result in denture implants that are strong and tough.
Ideally, the outcome is more like your tooth enamel and can be blended with anti-bacterial features. These dentures don’t crack or fade quickly, giving you all the comfort of eating hard food with much more confidence. Additionally, they can last longer, saving you a great deal of money.
Conclusion
Because dentistry is leveraging 3D printing in dental treatments, there’s no need for you to be toothless. This technology has significantly lowered dentures implants costs by enhancing in-office production, simplifying production costs, and encouraging more accurate results.
Moreover, it has led to faster and more customised dentures using the best quality materials. Thus, if you need an implant, say 3 on 6 dental implants Australia, you can confidently go for it and restore the sweet smile you had before cost-effectively.
References
- Nathan Reiff, “5 Biggest 3D Printing Companies,” Investopedia, September 9, 2020, https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/081515/three-biggest-3d-printing-companies.asp#:~:text=3D%20Systems%20invented%203D%20printing,help%20create%20highly%20precise%20parts.
- Evan Frisbee, DMD, “Dental Health and Dentures,” WebMD, July 29, 2021, https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/dental-health-dentures
- Carol DerSarkissian, MD, “Ways 3D Printing Is Changing Health Care,” WebMD, June 23, 2022, https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/health-care-3d-printing
