Definition of dental printer
Dental printer is a device that uses 3D printing technology and combines the needs of oral medicine to make dental restorations, models and related instruments. It converts the patient's oral data into a three-dimensional model through digital technology, and prints the required dental products layer by layer according to the design requirements.
Principle of dental printer
Currently, dental printers mainly have the following technical principles:
Stereolithography (SLA) technology: using ultraviolet laser beam to solidify the surface of liquid photosensitive resin point by point to form a solid thin layer, and then stacking layers to finally build a three-dimensional object. It is characterized by high precision and good surface finish, suitable for making fine dental restorations.
Digital light processing (DLP) technology: projecting digital images onto the surface of photosensitive resin through a projector, so that the resin undergoes polymerization reaction and solidifies under the irradiation of light. DLP technology has a fast printing speed and can achieve high molding accuracy.
Material jetting technology: similar to an inkjet printer, multiple materials are sprayed onto the printing platform in the form of droplets, and stacked layer by layer to form. This technology can achieve mixed printing of multiple materials and is suitable for making complex dental models and restorations.
Application of dental printers
Production of dental restorations: Dental printers can make crowns, bridges, dentures and other restorations. By digitally scanning the patient's mouth, design an accurate restoration model, and then use the printer to quickly make the finished product. Compared with traditional manual production, 3D printed restorations are more accurate and can better fit the patient's oral structure.
Application in orthodontic treatment: In the field of invisible orthodontics, 3D printing technology can make high-precision dentition models for the design and manufacture of invisible braces. In addition, auxiliary devices such as brackets and indirect bonding trays for orthodontic treatment can also be printed.
Production of surgical guides: In dental implant surgery, 3D printed surgical guides can help doctors more accurately locate the position and angle of implants, improving the success rate and safety of the operation.
Production of dental models: Dental printers can quickly produce dentition models, jaw models, etc. for teaching, research and preoperative evaluation of patients.
Advantages of dental printers
Personalized customization: Dental printers can be personalized and produced according to the oral data of each patient to meet the needs of different patients.
High precision: 3D printing technology can achieve micron-level precision, and the dental products produced are highly matched with the patient's oral structure, which improves the comfort and beauty of the restoration.
Shorten the treatment cycle: The traditional dental restoration process requires multiple visits and long waiting times, while 3D printing technology can complete model making and restoration production in a short time, greatly shortening the treatment cycle.
Improve work efficiency: Dental printers realize an integrated process from scanning, design to printing, reduce the tedious steps of manual operation, and improve the work efficiency of dental clinics and laboratories.
Development trend of dental printers
With the continuous advancement of technology, the performance and application scope of dental printers will continue to expand. In the future, dental printers may be more intelligent and automated, combined with technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things to achieve remote printing and monitoring. At the same time, the research and development of new printing materials will also provide more possibilities for the application of dental printers.
As an important part of digital dentistry, dental printers are changing the traditional oral medical model and providing patients with a more efficient, more accurate and more comfortable treatment experience. With the continuous development and popularization of technology, dental printers will play an increasingly important role in the field of stomatology.
