3D Printed Night Guard: A Complete Guide
Patients may experience discomfort during the lengthy process of creating their retainers and night guards. However, dental gadgets can now be more quickly and cheaply manufactured with the use of 3D printing technology. Because creating oral molds is no longer necessary, patients report higher levels of satisfaction with the procedure. Learn all about 3D-printed night guards and which ones are the finest in this detailed article. Let’s get to it.
What Is a Night Guard?
To those who aren't familiar, a night guard is a mouthpiece that conceals the teeth's biting surfaces. Although "night guard" is the most frequent name, there are many more, including "mouth guard," "occlusal guard," "bite splint," "nocturnal bite plate," "dental mouth guard," and many more. It is important to consider the severity of the patient's illness when deciding whether to suggest an upper or lower night guard. For the sake of reassuring anxious patients, it is imperative that dental professionals be well-versed in all aspects of occlusal guards.
You can use an intraoral scanner to check the bite and condition of night guards to make sure they are medically required. When used in conjunction with computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software, night guards can be custom-made with more accurate information about the patient's current condition.
3D Printed Night Guards: How Are They Prepared
Step 1: Scan
Making a nightguard has traditionally included making a physical model by casting an impression of the patient's teeth. But digital dentistry has changed all that. In a matter of minutes, you can create an accurate digital replica of the patient's teeth using an Intraoral Scanner (IOS). You won't need any physical storage space anymore, and you may make instantaneous design changes.
There are a number of benefits to scanning over more conventional approaches:
- Improved nightguard fit due to increased precision.
- Physical models are no longer needed, which frees up valuable floor space in medical facilities.
- The capacity to access and share digital files instantly for design purposes.
- Process simplification through the transmission of digital models via the internet.
Step 2: Design
A more organized and efficient alternative to the labor-intensive manual approach is digital design, which makes use of CAD/CAM software. One option is for dentists to acquire the necessary skills to utilize CAD/CAM software in-house. Another is to hire a specialized company to handle the design process.
There are various advantages to designing the nightguard digitally:
- Simplified work environment with less material wastage.
- Enhanced efficiency.
- Process that is both economical and gentle on the environment.
- Making sure the design team is highly skilled is essential for getting the best results, whether you're doing the design in-house or outsourcing.
Step 3: Print
Dentists can move on to printing after they are happy with the digital model. You have the option to use a dental 3D printer and resin to create your own nightguard designs, or you can send them to a dental lab for fabrication.
However, a dental 3D printer and resin that is compatible with it are required to manufacture the nightguard on your own. There is a learning curve to using dental 3D printers, but the process of fabricating cases will be significantly faster once you get the hang of it.
SmileGuard Resin (Best Resin Option)
For a risk-free 3D-printed night guard, try SmileGuard resin, which is biocompatible and has received approval from Health Canada and the Food and Drug Administration. Its outstanding technical properties, such as a Shore D hardness of 76, an ultimate flexural modulus of 1107 MPa, and a flexural strength of 37.3 MPa, contribute to its high durability and patient safety. The high elongation at the break of the material (138%) effectively reduces the effects of dental trauma, clenching, abrasions, and TMD.
The fast 3D printing workflow of the resin allows Desktop Health's high-performance 3D printers to produce six guards in a mere thirty minutes. The process is straightforward and includes importing digital files, heating them to activate them, gently removing the supports, washing, curing, and polishing. SmileGuard is an excellent choice for making bite splints, mouth guards, sleep guards, and other orthodontic and dental products.
The unique material qualities of SmileGuard, such as its biocompatibility and crystal-clear visibility, ensure the utmost comfort and safety for patients. Dentists who value reliable dental treatment without compromising on patient comfort will appreciate its odorless and flavorless properties.
Purchase link: Proto 3000 Dental.
NextDent 5100 (Best 3D Printer)
Key Features:
- Build Volume (xyz): 124.8 x 70.2 x 196 mm (4.9 x 2.8 x 7.7 in)
- Max Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Wavelength: 405 nm
If you're looking for a dental 3D printer that can manufacture night guards, go no further than the 3D Systems NextDent 5100. This industrial-grade printer uses material jetting (inkjet) technology. Impressive build volume measurements of 124.8 x 70.2 x 196 mm characterize this printer that runs on Figure 4® technology. Its unique selling point is that it satisfies demanding medical requirements with its biocompatible and CE-certified materials.
The printer guarantees a rapid printing speed, which is essential for the efficient fabrication of dental appliances. Nevertheless, its smaller build volume limits its applicability to large-scale projects. Because it only supports NextDent 3D printing materials, the limited material platform can further restrict material options.
Purchase Link: NextDent.
3D Printed Night Guard: Best Options
1. Comfort3D™ Bite Splint
In particular, the patient-specific, digitally-designed and 3D-printed hard nightguard known as the Comfort3DTM Bite Splint stands out. In addition to relieving discomfort, this splint protects healthy teeth and dental restorations from the daily wear and tear caused by bruxism. Its digitally engineered construction makes it extremely comfortable for patients to wear because it fits well and stays put.
Wearing it all night long won't be a problem because of its roomy tongue, which is one of its standout characteristics. The splint is both long-lasting and unobtrusive with its transparent color and one-layer, hard-yet-flexible substance.
The Comfort3D Bite Splint can withstand stains and is simple to clean, so patients won't have to worry about keeping it in good repair. This night guard is reliable and long-lasting because it comes with a 6-month guarantee and a no-fault remake policy.
Purchase link: GlideWell
Price: On-demand
2. Customized Night Guard
The Night Guard guarantees fast turnaround times without sacrificing accuracy or surface polish by utilizing powerful 4K DLP imaging technology. Dental professionals looking for efficient solutions for their clients will find this option appealing due to its high-quality production capabilities, which guarantee excellent performance at a competitive price point.
Purchase link: Ergometa.
Price: $45
3. Printed Thermoflex Night Guard
Among 3D-printed night guards, the Printed Thermoflex Night Guard stands out for its exceptional combination of biocompatibility, durability, and flexibility. A number of open-source printers have confirmed its strong formulation, which ensures high quality and performance. The supple, long-lasting material is see-through and resistant to stains, and patients will appreciate how well it fits them.
Purchase link: Lightning Dental lab.
Price: $55
4. Night Guard for Severe Bruxism
The 3D Custom Night Guard provides an individualized solution for those coping with severe bruxism, ensuring optimal comfort and protection. This night guard is long-lasting and made with materials that have passed the rigorous standards set by the Food and Drug Administration. Because of its adaptability, it can help people whose teeth clench or grind to varying degrees.
A simplified four-step method guarantees a painless experience for users during the ordering process. Users may say goodbye to sleepless nights and early headaches with the speedy delivery of their personalized night guard.
Purchase Link: js dental lab.
Price: $175
Best CAD Software for Dentistry
When designing dental implants or working on 3D scans for dentistry for patient use, you need to use the proper tool, as not all programs are ideal for 3D printing dentistry designs. One such great tool is SelfCAD. It is a powerful 3D modeling software that you can use in the entire 3D printing process.
The software works on both Windows and MacOS, and there is also a browser-based version, which ensures that you can work anywhere, anytime. You can import your 3D scans, fix the meshes using the Magic Fix tool, and even close any gaps and holes in your 3D prints with much ease. Get to know how to fix meshes in SelfCAD in the video below.
You don’t need to have previous experience in 3D modeling to use the software as you can get started much more quickly and there are also a lot of interactive tutorials as well as the SelfCAD Academy that you can use to learn how the software works.
When you are done 3D modeling or fixing the 3D scans of dentistry, you can use the online slicer of SelfCAD to slice it and generate the G-code to send to your 3D printer without switching to a different software. Learn how the SelfCAD slicer works in the video below.
Get a Custom-Fit 3D Printed Night Guard in No Time
3D printing is quickly becoming the method of choice for the development of dental devices, such as night guards and retainers, due to the numerous advantages it offers to both patients and practitioners.
When it comes to dental care, 3D printing nightguards is a game-changer since it combines precision technology with individualized therapy. Step one is to use an iOS scanner to create a digital model of the nightguard. Step two is to print it out using a 3D printer. The end product is a personalized nightguard that patients can use immediately. Efficiency, accuracy, and the happiness of dental patients have all taken a giant leap forward thanks to this method.
Enjoy powerful modeling, rendering, and 3D printing tools without the steep learning curve.
Need to learn 3D modeling? Get started with interactive tutorials.