3D printing solutions for advancing dental labs.

Although 3D printing has been around for more than three decades, it is fairly new to the dental industry. The field of 3D printing for dental applications is growing broader each year and could arguably be described as one of the most innovative aspects of the dental industry. The additive production process of 3D printing brings numerous advantages and opportunities for dental labs when creating dental products.

Creating the Dental Lab of the Future

We’re excited for these innovations to unfold more deeply into the dental industry, and to support these opportunities, we’ve introduced the Stratasys Objet260 Dental, a solution perfect for mid-sized and large dental labs who are creating high quality results. Attendees of Lab Day 2018 will be able to get a first look at this novel dental solution.

Based on award-winning PolyJet triple-jetting technology, the Stratasys Objet260 Dental delivers cutting-edge functionality for labs across all departments. With the power to 3D print three different materials on a single tray, it essentially provides three printers for the price of one. Able to build surgical guides, models, and appliances for any patient requirement, it can also be operated in single-material mode to increase speed and provide shorter material change-over and reduced waste. Future-proofing current investments, the Objet260 Dental is additionally upgradeable to “Dental Selection” – broadening adoption of next-generation digitally mixed materials.

Also at Lab Day 2018 in Chicago, we will demonstrate two new dental solutions that will allow for more production flexibility and precision when needed, helping it to unlock 3D printing’s potential as a digital workflow solution. The first is a flexible biocompatible material, MEDFLX625 - enabling dental and orthodontic labs with PolyJet multi-material 3D printers to custom mix both flexible and rigid biocompatible materials for short-term, patient contact direct print applications. Attendees will also see first hand new Pop-Out Part (PoP) technology for highly simplified and efficient workflows of dental part support removal, specifically clear aligner arches.

Already worth $780 million in the dental market, 3D printing could become a $3.1 billion industry in the dental sector by 2020, according predictions in a report released in May 2015 by SmarTech. The prevalence of 3D printing is shaping the future of dentistry, with 3D printers and materials that are being manufactured specifically for dental labs, addressing their unique and specific digital workflow needs.