Dental Materials for 3D Printing: Best Options to Buy
3D printing has made great strides in dentistry in recent years, allowing for the manufacturing of a wide range of dental components with greater accuracy, efficiency, and adaptability. Among the crucial variables leading to the success of 3D printing in dentistry are the dental materials used. In this piece, we'll take a look at some of the top 3D-printable dental materials and discuss what makes them so unique. But before that, it’s important to have a look at the best CAD software used in dentistry.
Best CAD Software for Dentistry
There are various tools available for 3D printing dentistry and a good example is SelfCAD. SelfCAD is one of the easiest 3D modeling software that has been designed for creating 3D printed dental models or for editing dental 3D scans and ensuring that they are as per your requirements and preparing them for 3D printing. Once you have scanned the dental structure, you can import them to SelfCAD by going to File > Import. SelfCAD supports most of the common 3D file formats and formats for 3D scanners.
After importing the design, you can start modifying it based on your needs. For example, you can fill any gaps or holes in the scans using the various tools of SelfCAD. You can check our article on 3D printing in dentistry to learn how you can do that. You can also use the Magic fix tool of SelfCAD to clean the meshes and fix any non-manifold meshes and ensure that the design is ready for 3D printing.
After editing and cleaning up your meshes you can use the in-built online slicer to slice the files and generate the Gcode to send to your 3D printer. The video below shows how to slice your designs in SelfCAD.
SelfCAD is affordable as compared to other professional CAD software for dentistry and you don’t need to install any addon or extension as all the tools you need are found on the software. There are also many interactive tutorials and SelfCAD academy that can help you master the software and general 3D modeling with much ease. Having looked at the best CAD software for 3D printing dentistry, let’s now have a look at the best dental materials for 3D printing.
Best Dental Materials for 3D Printing
Below are some of the best and affordable dental materials for 3D printing.
1. PowerResins Dental Model
The PowerResins Dental Model is a 3D printer resin explicitly developed to revolutionize the printing of dental models. This resin is ideal for dental modeling because of its incredible dimensional stability and distinctive texture. For dentists who need precision, it's a great option because it works with both DLP and LED curing 3D printers.
The precision of the ceramic-based resin is only the beginning; its smooth surface and firm finish also make post-processing a breeze. It is designed to alleviate technician fatigue during long work sessions by virtue of its characteristic light pink color and opaque/matte texture. In addition, its quick drying time allows for fast printing, which increases output.
The technical properties of this resin—including its 99 MPa flexural strength, 1.1 g/cm3 density, and 0.1 mm thickness capability—combine to produce exceptional outcomes. The absence of pigments assures skin-friendly clarity, while the minimal shrinkage feature keeps the model's shape intact, enabling high-definition printing.
Price: $150
Link to buy: Powerresins.com.
2. PowerResins Castable Burn
Regarding dental casting resins, PowerResins Castable Burn is where it's at. Made to exacting specifications as a castable resin that produces zero ash, this material is ideal for dental Cr-Co metal casting and e-max press applications.
The absence of ash during the burnout process guarantees a high-quality casting surface. There is no need to worry about investment cracks or growth due to this resin's ability to combine with a wide variety of dental investment brands. It allows fast and dependable printing on DLP and LED/LCD 3D printers.
The technical specifications highlight the resin's endurance and quality, including its flexural strength of 20.7 MPa, density of 1.1 g/cm3, and Shore Hardness of 70.5. Dental labs love it because it's so versatile and easy to cast in a variety of forms, like Sherafine, Polyvest, Siladent, Bego, and Nanovest.
Price: $300
Link to buy: Powerresins.
3. PowerResins Ortho Model
PowerResins Ortho Model is the premier resin for 3D printing orthodontic dental models due to its superior durability and consistency. High dimensional stability and pressure resistance are two advantages for dental professionals when using this material, which is compatible with a wide range of DLP and LED/LCD 3D printers.
This dark plastic is ideal for use in aligner vacuum thermoforming. It is ideal for producing aligners because it can bear intense pressure and stay stable in hot conditions. Quick curing times make for efficient printing. The technical features of the resin- its capacity to print at a thickness of 0.1 mm and a hardness of 76.75 Shore, demonstrate its precision and dependability as a dental model printing material. For dentists who need to be exact, this resin provides options that stand up to both pressure and heat.
Price: $150
Link to buy: Powerresins.
4. PowerResins SG
Designed for use in 3D printing surgical guides for implant surgery, PowerResins SG is a CE Class 1 biocompatible resin. This colorless, odorless resin is great for use in sterile environments. It can be autoclave-sterilized and doesn't react negatively with living organisms.
Because of its precision and dependability, this resin has been developed to suit the rigorous mechanical requirements of implant surgery. Its use with metallic drill sleeves guarantees accuracy in the operating room. It has the required tensile strength of 41.1 MPa and flexural strength of 104.2 MPa, making it suitable as a surgical implant guide. In short, PowerResins SG offers a precise and biocompatible option for implant surgery. For the sake of the patient's well-being, it is clear, odorless, and tasteless. In implant surgery and guide manufacture, the resin is an invaluable asset due to its technical requirements, biocompatibility, and precise drilling capabilities.
Price: $300
Link to buy: Powerresins
5. SmileGuard Resin
Biocompatible and approved by the Food and Drug Administration and Health Canada, SmileGuard resin is a safe option for dental and orthodontic devices. It has excellent durability and patient safety thanks to its impressive technical features, which include a flexural strength of 37.3 MPa, a Shore D hardness of 76, and an ultimate flexural modulus of 1107 MPa. The impact from teeth grinding, clenching, abrasions, and TMD are all well mitigated by the material's high elongation at break (138%).
Desktop Health's high-performance 3D printers can create six guards in just 30 minutes thanks to the resin's rapid 3D printing workflow. The procedure is simple and consists of loading digital files, activating them with heat, removing the supports with minimal effort, washing, curing, and polishing. SmileGuard is a dependable option for creating a wide variety of dental appliances and orthodontic devices, such as bite splints, mouth guards, night guards, and more.
SmileGuard's exceptional material qualities, including crystal clear visibility and biocompatibility, contribute to the highest levels of patient comfort and safety possible. Its odorless and tasteless nature is great for dentists who want to give effective and dependable dental care to their patients without sacrificing the patient experience.
Link to buy: Dental.proto3000.
5. Flexcera ultra+ smile
With a 1-liter bottle costing $699.95, Flexcera Smile Ultra+ is a revolutionary dental resin that can improve the quality of dental restorations completed in a single visit. Its durability rivals that of ceramic, making it ideal for dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, veneers, and complete or partial dentures. Its unparalleled three-fold improvement in fracture resistance guarantees long-lasting and sturdy dental restorations.
These restorations are impervious to oral difficulties since they are moisture-resistant. Because of this feature, both doctors and patients can be assured that their treatment will produce long-term benefits. In addition to its superior durability, the Flexcera Smile Ultra+ also provides a pleasing aesthetic. The restorations blend in perfectly with the patient's original teeth, restoring their full comfort and function. This resin also features NanoFit 385 technology, which guarantees an excellent marginal fit and flawless outcomes.
Price: $699
Link to buy: Voxeldental.
6. E-OrthoShape
Desktop Health's E-OrthoShape is a low-priced option for mass-producing dental models. Orthodontic specialists prefer to use this grey ABS-like resin for printing clear thermoformed aligners since it prints in 100-micron layers. Its qualities as a dental model material make it a top pick for orthodontic use.
E-OrthoShape is the preferred orthodontic modeling software due to its high quality, low price, and high-resolution model output. Clear thermoformed aligners are their specialty, and they propose this method for mass production. The dentistry industry has found many uses for E-OrthoShape, including the creation of crown and bridge models, orthodontic models, implant models, diagnostic models, and clear aligner models. E-OrthoShape has the reliability and durability necessary in the dentistry business because of its material qualities. It has a Tensile Strength of 65 MPa, Tensile Modulus of 1772 MPa, Elongation at Break of 6.6%, Flexural Strength of 108 MPa, and Flexural Modulus of 2543 MPa. This vat-photopolymerized grey resin is a useful complement to the dental process.
Adding E-OrthoShape to your digital dental workflow at the lab or clinic can boost productivity and revenue. This resin accelerates the manufacture of dental models using state-of-the-art 3D technology, providing a low-priced but high-quality option.
Price: $220
Link to buy: imakr.
7. Biocompatible VeroGlaze™ MED620™
Stratasys introduces Biocompatible VeroGlazeTM MED620TM, an opaque hard dental resin that satisfies the most stringent requirements for biocompatibility and accuracy. With this resin, dentists can create high-quality models for restorative and orthodontic work, as well as custom impression trays and practice impressions.
VeroGlazeTM MED620TM has received the ISO 10993-1 certification, proving its appropriateness for prolonged skin contact of more than 30 days and for brief contact with mucosal membranes of up to 24 hours. This accreditation demonstrates their commitment to the safety and comfort of their patients. The resin's flexural strength ranges from 75 to 110 Mpa, so your dental models will be up to the challenge of regular clinical use. The 20-30 J/m impact notched rating from IZOD further demonstrates its sturdiness.
VeroGlazeTM MED620TM is dimensionally stable, so your prints will always be perfect. Its Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) is between 45 and 50 degrees Celsius, proving its durability in a wide variety of settings. This resin provides the necessary structural integrity for dental applications, with a tensile strength of 50-65 MPa, guaranteeing the durability and dependability of dental models. The resin's light ivory tint, matching A2 shade, enhances the esthetic appeal of the dental models, achieving a natural and attractive appearance.
When it comes to dental resins, the biocompatible VeroGlazeTM MED620TM is where it's at. It is the material of choice for dental practitioners because of its biocompatibility, superior mechanical capabilities, dimensional stability, and aesthetic qualities when creating restorative and orthodontic models. Patient safety is a top priority, and the ISO 10993-1 accreditation provides both doctors and patients with assurance. The superb quality of this dental resin demonstrates Stratasys' dedication to providing superior dental materials.
Link to buy: Stratasys.
Choosing the Right Dental Materials for 3D Printing
The dentistry industry values dental impression material; doing this properly is crucial. High-quality, biocompatible materials are essential to reduce the risk of allergic reactions and associated suffering. Dental tools' durability, dependability, and precision depend on their materials. Use a substance with great dimensional stability and strong mechanical qualities to keep dental prints usable in the clinic. Selecting the best dental print material requires considering workflow efficiency, aesthetics, and regulatory compliance. Dental practitioners must evaluate material selection since it affects patient care, treatment outcomes, and practice efficiency.
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