When we first wrote about 3D printing in dentistry back in 2017, the topic was largely a vision of the future. A great deal has happened since then – though not quite in the way many expected. Here is an honest overview of what 3D printing can do today, where its limits lie and how we work with digital dental technology in our practice.
What 3D printing can do today
In dental laboratories, 3D printing has become part of everyday work – not, however, for finished dental prosthetics, but above all for auxiliary devices. Surgical guides for implants, models for treatment planning and occlusal splints can be printed quickly and precisely. Temporary crowns and bridges made of resin are now also being printed.
For permanent ceramic restorations, the picture is different. Although the materials have improved considerably, it is the milling process that has become established in practice – not printing.
Why milling is ahead of printing
CAD/CAM technology – the computer-aided design and milling of dental restorations – is today's standard for high-quality restorations. The reason is simple: milled ceramic is denser, more stable and more durable than printed ceramic. In milling, a solid ceramic block that has already been manufactured under controlled conditions is machined down. The result is a material you can rely on.
3D printing, by contrast, builds the object up layer by layer. This creates fine transitions between the layers, which can become a problem under heavy chewing forces. For splints or temporary restorations this does not matter – for a crown that is meant to last twenty years, it does.
CEREC: digital restorations in a single appointment
In our practice we use CEREC, a CAD/CAM system that produces dental restorations directly on site. The process works like this: we scan the tooth digitally, design the crown or inlay on screen and mill it from a ceramic block within minutes. In suitable cases, treatment can be completed within a single appointment; whether a temporary restoration or a further appointment is needed depends on the individual findings.
The all-ceramic restorations we produce this way often look very natural. And because everything takes place in our own laboratory, we can closely oversee the choice of materials and the manufacturing process.
What comes next?
Development in 3D printing continues. Hybrid ceramics that can be printed while remaining stable enough for load-bearing areas are being tested. The first manufacturers are working on high-performance ceramic printers that may also become suitable for crowns and bridges. Whether and when these devices will reach widespread use remains to be seen.
One thing is already becoming clear, however: digital dental technology is becoming ever more precise, faster and more comfortable for patients. Whether milled or, one day, printed – the digital route is the right one.
Our approach
We rely on technology that has proven itself, while keeping a close eye on new developments. If 3D printing one day delivers the same quality as milling, we will use it. Until then, we work with CEREC and CAD/CAM at a high technical standard.
Do you have questions about digital dental prosthetics? Get in touch with us – we will be happy to explain which solution is best suited to your individual case.
