3D Printing in Your Dental Lab

Why 3D Printing?
3D Printing is an extension of your manufacturing process. If you are a Crown & Bridge Lab and have been milling for years, 3D Printing is an easy addition to your digital capabilities. If you have not yet “gone digital”, fear not. 3D Printing is easy to implement in any lab environment.

How do I handle Digital Impressions?
You also need to consider 3D Printing if you have client Dentists who are adding Digital Impressions (Intra-Oral Scanning). Images can be enlarged for evaluation of the prep before the patient leaves the chair. Dentists and Labs can quickly communicate digitally and both can review the case simultaneously. Producing a model from a Digital Impression requires 3D Printing.

What can I 3D Print?
You can 3D Print Models, Nightguards, Mouthguards, Surgical Guides, Denture Bases, Teeth, Castable patterns for copings, full-contour pressed crowns, bars, and partial frames.

Do I need to have a Scanner first?
Probably. Here’s why – while some Dentists are embracing Digital Impressions, many cases still require a traditional impression and a poured model. The poured model will need to be scanned for subsequent prosthetic design and 3D Printing of that object. You probably also need some CAD design software like exocad.

What does a 3D Printer cost?
Less than you think! Silcox can help you add 3D Printing to your Dental Lab for about $350 per month. Printed objects cost from a few dollars on up, depending on size. The Kulzer Cara Print 4.0 prints a variety of materials fast and accurately.