- 3D printing has been used to offer dental aligners online. In some cases, the company can scan your teeth first to produce the perfect aligner for you.
- However, skeptics and orthodontists warn that this bypasses required medical supervision that spots complications, even though it reduces price substantially
- Traditional treatment includes several X-rays that are essential to getting the aligner fit right- plus they monitor your progress over time, which these direct to consumer companies don’t
- Sometimes people who opt for internet aligners end back up at the dentist with damaged teeth/bite, needing a lot of expensive, painful dental work
- However, 3D printing can help orthodontists and dentists practice their craft, reduce aligner production time
- The Form 3B+ dental printer from FormLabs is a printer specifically designed for dental professionals and can print orthodontic models, crown and bridge molds, denture teeth, permanent crowns and temporary restorations
While the technology isn’t quite as mainstream as we’d like, 3D printing is becoming increasingly popular in the medical field. One area where 3D printing is really starting to make a difference is in the production of braces. Really, aligners.
(Check out how this beginner 3D printer made his own aligner:)
Some d2c companies like Candid Co. are already offering clear aligners for adults and teens at a price that’s much lower than what you’d pay at the orthodontist. But those companies use traditional methods to create their aligners. 3D printing has the potential to make the process even more efficient — and less expensive.
While Invisalign is still the gold standard when it comes to clear aligners, there are a number of other companies that offer similar products.
And many of them are using 3D printing to produce their aligners. Align Technology, for example, uses 3D printing to produce its ClearCorrect aligners. And SmileDirectClub also uses 3D printing in the production of its clear aligners.
WaltOrtho also produces a line of genuine 3D printed braces, rather than just aligners.
But what are the benefits of using 3D printing to produce braces? Well, for one thing, it’s much faster than traditional methods. And that means that companies can produce aligners more quickly and at a lower cost.
Additionally, 3D printing makes it possible to produce custom braces that are tailored specifically to each patient’s individual needs.
And that’s not all. 3D printing also offers a number of other benefits. For instance, it eliminates the need for multiple visits to the orthodontist. And it also makes it possible to produce braces that are virtually invisible. 3D printing is responsible for some amazing innovations- 3D printed bladder transplants, 3D printed eyes, and 3D printed livers!
How can it save lives
The way 3d printed braces can benefit people is that it involves no pain. When you go to the dentist, it is painful and very uncomfortable. You can get the perfect fit while listening to music or having fun with your family. It is also a useful way of quickly detecting crooked teeth and giving you the appropriate treatment.
Benefits of 3d printed braces
1) It is custom made
This makes them the perfect option for individuals who are not happy with the shape of their teeth. You can choose what shape you want or need, and then they will make it in a 3d printer. This is going to be the very first time that this kind of treatment has been used on a large scale to help people feel better about themselves. You will be able to achieve a perfect smile and have a better appearance because of it.
2) No need for any preparations
You do not need to go through the process of trying to find the right braces that are going to fit your mouth correctly or worry about having them do the job they’re supposed to. The 3d printed braces are tailored just for you which means they are going to fit perfectly in your mouth so they can work effectively.
3) No pain involved
Dental visits can be painful and there is no guarantee that it gets better after that. You are not able to see what is happening in the mouth and you have to trust the dentist. With 3d printed braces, you will have a better experience overall. You will not feel any pain at all which means you can make appointments without the worry of going through a bad experience.
4) Convenient
With regular dental appointments, it is difficult to find a time when scheduling conflicts. It is not always convenient to go through the appointment process because it takes hours on end for the procedure to be done. 3d printed braces mean that you can fill them in whenever possible and take your time when you finish them.
5) Improved the appearance of teeth
This treatment is beneficial because it allows you to make your teeth appear how they should be. It does not matter what shape your teeth are in, you can get this done with 3d printed braces so that you can turn them into something amazing. You will be able to achieve the perfect smile that everyone has always wanted and there is no question about it getting better through a tedious process.
6) It is a safe procedure
When it comes to 3d printed braces, they are going to be printed in layers. You will be able to have a customized fit that is going to ensure you do not have any problems with the way that your teeth come together when eating. This is an excellent option for those who have straight teeth but are not quite sure about the color that goes with their complexion. Before you get braces, you should know if they will be more beneficial to you or not. If this is something that you are interested in, then it is worth seeing what kind of options are available.
Setbacks
1. The 3d printed braces may not be necessary
The purpose of these braces is to make your teeth look better and it may not always be necessary. There is a potential that you will have crooked teeth, and it is still unacceptable. If you have some that require straightening, you should contact somebody that can do the job correctly.
2. The process may not fit with your lifestyle
It may be something that you wish to avoid unless it fits with your lifestyle. . If you are busy, then it is hard to manage time with the dentist. This means that you will have to consider this method before getting in touch with 3d printed braces.
3. They are not affordable
Many people will not be able to afford this technology, and it is all about money. Unless you have the money, it is hard for you to purchase one of these 3d printers because they are going to be incredibly expensive and once the material has been used up, there is nothing else you can do. The 3d printed braces will not be able to work for you if you cannot pay for the materials that are used.
4. They are not easy to remove
When you wear braces, they’re supposed to be in your mouth and this may mean that you will have a hard time breathing. If you have a very hard time breathing regularly, then it is not safe and you will need to try something else. 3d printed braces may not be the right choice for many people because they have only been tested on small groups of individuals in a controlled environment.
5. The material is not yet durable
This means that you will be able to easily break them if they are not made of strong enough material. This can become a lot of work and it can be easy to crack them after a while. They are not always going to be very reliable over the long term, and you may have to go back and get them fixed at some point.
The future of 3d printed braces
3d printing is the future of replacing dental appliances and 3d printed braces have given rise to many other innovations. This technology is used for cosmetic enhancement and has just been used in a few countries. Coming up with new models that can be commercially viable will take time, but with the advent of 3D printing technologies, it may not be that long.
Summing Up
3d printed braces are a new method of treatment for crooked teeth. The braces are designed to be inserted into your mouth and then printed in thin layers, resulting in the perfect shape for you. There is no need to go through the dentist’s office for hours on end, which makes them a great option for those with busy schedules. This is only one way that 3d printing has changed the dental world! It will also allow patients to have personalized 3d printed service instead of getting an average service that everyone gets.
Hello, my name’s Rush Chapman. I’m a 3D printing enthusiast. I started this site to help people choose 3D printing projects and select the best 3D printer for your needs, whether you’re a hobbyist or a pro!
