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Drilling guides, night guards and crowns—all from a 3D printer

International trade fair Formnext is to showcase technological innovations in additive manufacturing and their vast potential for dentists, orthodontists and dental laboratories. (Image: Formnext)
Formnext

Formnext

Mon. 24. October 2022

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FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany: The dental industry was one of the first to recognise and leverage the benefits of additive manufacturing. Dentures and crowns have been 3D-printed since the turn of the millennium. The quality of the systems, processes and materials involved has continued to improve in the interim, ushering in a significant increase in applications. As a result, the market’s growth has rarely fallen into single digits. According to Wohlers Report 2022, additive manufacturing now accounts for approximately US$2.4 billion (€2.47 billion) in revenue in the field of medicine and dentistry.

In the future, the many years of strong growth in the dental additive manufacturing industry are expected to continue or even accelerate further. The consulting firm AMPOWER, which specialises in additive manufacturing, expects the dental segment to grow by an average of 15% annually for the next five years. This would mean that the sales of 3D-printed dental systems would rise from €161 million in 2021 to €323 million by 2026.

More and more dental practices are adopting additive manufacturing innovations

Additive manufacturing has found its way not only into more and more dental practices but also into other areas of dentistry, including orthodontics and implantology. 3D-printed drilling guides, bite splints, custom-made impression trays and dental models are a few examples of the applications.

The way in which additive manufacturing has taken the dental industry by storm also relates to how the technology is able to leverage its full potential in this field. The components required are generally small, complex and tailored to individual patients. They are also often made of materials like titanium, which is difficult to work with using subtractive methods.

Meanwhile, additive manufacturing has brought considerable improvements to the work of orthodontists and to their patients. 3D-printed tooth splints, for example, reduce the cost of treatment while also offering an aesthetic solution that patients can appreciate. Additionally, new technical possibilities have emerged in implantology. Bone can be regenerated in a localised manner using 3D-printed titanium cages, which make it possible to use implants in places of insufficient bone volume.

These developments are giving rise to even more attractive business opportunities for dentists, dental laboratories and other users. The certification of processes and products has improved not only manufacturing quality but also commercial possibilities in the industry.

Knowledge of the entire production process is key

With its wide range of applications across various industries, additive manufacturing continues to impress users worldwide. (Image: Formnext)

For users, knowledge of the entire production process is key. That includes design, software, printing, process monitoring, post-processing and quality control. Formnext, the world’s premiere exhibition in additive manufacturing and other modern production technologies, offers an excellent overview of the current and future possibilities afforded by additive manufacturing.

From 15 to 18 November, leading international manufacturers will showcase the latest developments in Frankfurt am Main in Germany. These innovations will include a number of solutions specifically designed for the dental industry, such as small, high-precision 3D printers and corresponding materials for metal dental prostheses.

For more information on additive manufacturing in the field of dentistry, check out formnext magazine at www.fon-mag.com.

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