Monday, June 18, 2018
The ability to print almost any shape in a range of materials is a natural fit for the dental industry, and it should be no surprise that 3D printing is a rapidly expanding part of the dental industry. Dental labs are already making regular use of printers and dental practices are also finding new efficiencies through using the technology.
3D Systems is among the leaders in 3D printing across a range of industries, and the company was among the first to bring printing systems to dentistry. Dentalcompare recently spoke with Rik Jacobs, VP and General Manager Dental for 3D Systems. He shared his thoughts on the past, present and future of dental 3D printing.
Read what he had to say here:
DC: What is the potential you see for 3D printing in the dental industry?
RJ: A recent report from SmartTech Markets projects that dental 3D printing will grow from a $2.5 billion industry today to a $10 billion industry by 2027. We see the potential for such massive growth because every mouth is different, and 3D printing is the best possible technology to manufacture the individual solutions required in dentistry. We expect to see a massive adoption of 3D printing in both the dental lab and dental practice segments.
DC: What dental applications do you see as best suited to 3D printing?
RJ: There are multiple applications for 3D printing in dentistry. Model printing is already an established application that is demonstrating efficiency and by 2025-26 100% of models are likely to be 3D printed. Temporaries are another area where 3D printing is a good fit. The capability is available now. The NextDent™ 5100 printer can produce temporaries in approximately 15 minutes.
The use of 3D printing in dentistry is only going to increase—empowering dental clinics and labs. For example, a clinic has the option to send a scan to a design center and print it at a lab, or they have the opportunity to print it in-house. It’s all about the application, the ease of use, and a complete workflow with a trusted connection.
3D Systems President and CEO Vyomesh Joshi, and VP and General Manager Rik Jacobs with the NextDent 5100 3D Printer.
DC: What forces do you see driving greater adoption of 3D printing in dentistry?
RJ: Education is the key to adoption of 3D printers. The younger generation will drive the adoption of the technology. They’ve grown up with expanding digital options in all aspects of their lives. I don’t expect them to go back to the old ways.
Adoption of digital technologies and CAD/CAM platforms was a natural fit for dentistry. It was time for a change. The industry had essentially been doing the same thing for many years. Now, 3D printing is ready to be an everyday part of digital dentistry and will be as common as milling is today. Milling was a nice in-between area. It created the workflow on which we developed our 3D printing systems.
If you don’t learn, unlearn and be respectful of this technology and invest in this technology you will eventually go bankrupt while others succeed.
DC: What impacts has 3D printing technology already made on dentistry?
RJ: Before 3D printing solutions were available making dentures was extremely complex. For most cases at least 5 patient visits were necessary, and there were lots of steps and thus numerous opportunities to introduce errors to the final prosthetic solution. The new workflow to actually 3D print a denture base and reducing patient visits to possibly just two will create new business models.
DC: Where does 3D Systems side in the debate between open and closed CAD/CAM technologies?
RJ: When we think about scanning and software, our systems are open. But we stand for regulatory, proprietary, certified and biocompatible materials for our printers, our clients, and our patients. Because we are printing medical devices, the material and the machine need to be designed to work together to secure safety from a material perspective for the patient. When you let the customer “play around” with non-qualified resins, you cannot control the outcome quality.
DC: What do you want dental professionals to know about 3D Systems’ newest printer the NextDent 5100?
RJ: The NextDent 5100 brings digital 3D printing production into the digital dental workflow. It’s about more than just having the right materials – it’s about having the right solution. We needed to optimize the workflow in terms of accuracy, speed, cost effectiveness and ease of use. Speed was extremely important, but we also wanted the printer to be a workhorse that can print all day with minimal downtime. We built the printer on wheels for added versatility and mobility, and we needed it to be simple to use. We believe we have all of this with the NextDent 5100. It can print a platform of crowns in 15 minutes and a platform of surgical guides in 20 minutes.
DC: What is the future for 3D Systems in the dental industry?
RJ: Innovation is the key. We will continuously come out with more materials that can be run on the same machine to make it possible for dental labs and clinics to integrate their 3D printer into more workflows for added efficiency and accuracy.