The article revolves around 3D printed dental crowns, explaining the basic concepts, advantages, production process, materials, clinical applications, and market prospects.
Basic concepts of 3D printed dental crowns
3D printed dental crowns are a type of dental crown made using 3D printing technology. In traditional dental crown production, multiple steps such as mold taking, model making, crown sintering, and crown fitting are required, which is cumbersome and time-consuming. However, 3D printed dental crowns accurately convert the shape of the patient’s oral cavity into a 3D model through digital scanning technology, then print the model through 3D printing technology, and finally process and assemble to obtain the finished dental crown. For example, using light-curing technology, the obtained 3D data of the patient’s oral cavity can be processed and the dental crown can be printed according to the design requirements. In this process, based on the digital model file, a precise dental crown structure is constructed by printing layer by layer with adhesive materials. From the oral scan to the completion of the final dental crown, it is a relatively smooth and efficient digital process.
The advantages of 3D printed dental crowns
Simplify the production process and shorten the cycle
Compared with traditional dental crowns, the production process of 3D printed dental crowns is greatly simplified. Traditional dental crowns require a certain amount of time and are prone to errors in various stages of production, such as manual mold taking, plaster model making, sintering, etc. However, 3D printed dental crowns only require high-precision oral scanning, and doctors can obtain the patient’s three-dimensional oral data. Then, with the help of Computer Aided Design software, a dental crown model with high matching degree with the patient’s teeth can be quickly designed, and finally transmitted to the 3D printer for production. It can be completed within a few hours, and the patient may be able to achieve immediate retrieval, saving a lot of time.
Higher accuracy
To better adapt to the oral shape, in the traditional dental crown production process, due to the many procedures, errors are prone to occur in the model conversion and production process, and multiple attempts and adjustments are required to better adapt to the patient’s oral cavity. However, 3D printed dental crowns are directly printed based on digital scanning results, avoiding errors that may occur in the intermediate production process, and can more accurately adapt to the patient’s oral shape, with better fit to the patient’s oral cavity.
3D printing technology can achieve complex structure production and crown production with more complex geometric shapes and internal structures. In some special tooth restoration situations, traditional processes may be difficult to achieve the desired restoration effect, while 3D printing can easily produce complex structure crowns according to the specific needs of patients, thereby improving the treatment effect.
High degree of personalized customization
3D printed dental crowns can be personalized according to the oral shape and characteristics of different patients. The shape, size, color, and bite of each patient’s teeth are unique. By using 3D scanning and CAD design, the most suitable dental crown shape and color can be tailored for each patient, which not only improves the treatment effect but also meets the patient’s aesthetic requirements.
Cost-effectiveness advantage
Reduce material waste. Traditional crown production, especially milling, wastes some materials. However, 3D printing is an additive manufacturing technology that only uses the amount of material required to accurately construct the crown, greatly reducing material waste and helping to reduce costs in the long run.
The production process of 3D printed dental crowns is relatively more automated, reducing labor costs. From scanning, design to printing, it reduces the heavy reliance on manual operations in traditional processes, such as manual mold taking and repeated model trimming, thereby saving labor costs and reducing the impact of experience factors on the quality of dental crown production.
The production process of 3D printed dental crowns
Dental Data Acquisition
Scanning mode
Oral Scanning: This is a common way to directly scan the inside of the patient’s mouth, using a special oral camera to obtain the three-dimensional shape information of the teeth. The advantage of this method is that the scanning process is relatively convenient, comfortable for the patient, and accurate dental data can be obtained in a short time. For example, some modern oral scanners can complete the entire oral scanning work in a few minutes, and can display the 3D model of the teeth in real time, which is convenient for doctors and patients to conduct preliminary viewing.
- CT scan: In some complex cases, a CT scanner may be required. CT scans can provide more comprehensive and detailed information on oral structure, including the alveolar bone structure inside the teeth, the root condition, and the relationship between the teeth and surrounding tissues. These data are very helpful for making accurate dental crowns, especially for dental implants or crown restoration in special situations.
Data processing
Collected oral data usually needs to be processed to remove impurities and perform smoothing operations to ensure that the data accurately reflects the patient’s oral shape. The original data source obtained by scanning is imported into specific 3D printing software, and the software algorithm is used to repair and optimize the data, such as filling in some small holes or correcting unclear data parts. Only in this way can the obtained model be suitable for subsequent crown design and printing operations.
Dental crown model design
- CAD software operation
Computer Aided Design (CAD) software is operated by professional technicians or doctors. In the software, based on the processed oral data, they will design the shape, size, and structure of the dental crown suitable for the patient. This includes determining important parameters such as the occlusal surface and edge position of the dental crown based on the patient’s remaining teeth. In addition, aesthetic factors should also be considered, such as matching the color of the dental crown with the surrounding teeth. Designers can choose the appropriate color option from the material color library provided by the software according to the patient’s specific needs to ensure that the printed dental crown is consistent with the overall appearance of the patient’s oral cavity.
- Model tuning and validation
The designed dental crown model also needs to go through an adjustment and verification process. Technicians will check whether the fit between the dental crown model and the patient’s oral data is optimal, and whether the bite relationship is correct. If problems are found, the model will be adjusted in the CAD software. For example, when designing an implant dental crown, it is necessary to ensure that the root of the crown fits the implant and its shape does not cause adverse pressure or friction on the surrounding gingival tissue. This process may go through multiple iterations until a satisfactory dental crown model is obtained.
3D printing production
- Printing material preparation
According to the specific requirements of the dental crown, choose the appropriate printing material. Currently, there are various choices of materials for 3D printing dental crowns, such as resin materials, metal materials, etc. These materials must have good biocompatibility to ensure the safety of use in the oral cavity. For example, NextDent’s NextDent C & B MFH material can directly 3D print dental crowns for implants, with multiple colors to choose from. The complex balance between inorganic fillers and resins makes it have high strength and wear resistance, and can also be polished after printing.
- Printer operation
Select a 3D printer that matches the printing material for printing operation. During the printing process, the printer constructs the crown entity by stacking layer by layer according to the structure of the previously designed crown model (for example, in light-cured 3D printing, it is achieved by layer by layer of light-cured resin material). Different types of 3D printers may have different printing accuracy and speed, but overall, they can accurately manufacture the three-dimensional structure of the crown according to preset parameters.
- Post-print processing
After printing, the dental crown still needs to undergo post-processing. If the dental crown is printed with resin material, its surface may need to be polished and polished to improve its smoothness and aesthetics. If metal material is used for printing, cleaning, sintering and other treatments, it may also be required to improve the mechanical properties of the dental crown. Moreover, during the entire post-processing process, it is necessary to ensure that the geometric shape of the dental crown is not damaged and maintain the accuracy required by its design.
Assembly and adjustment
Before the prepared dental crown is installed on the patient’s teeth, final assembly and adjustment are required.
First, check whether the connection between the dental crown and the patient’s teeth or implant is tightly attached. If there are small gaps or mismatches, further adjustments may be needed, such as local polishing or adding some matching materials to the connection.
Then check the occlusion of the dental crown again to ensure that the patient can exercise the chewing function normally during occlusion and that there is a correct contact relationship between the upper and lower teeth. If occlusion interference is found, it can also be solved by local adjustment of the dental crown. Only after assembly and adjustment can the dental crown be officially used for the patient’s oral restoration.
Material selection for 3D printed dental crowns
Resin material
Features
Resin material is one of the commonly used materials for 3D printing dental crowns. It has good plasticity and can produce various shapes of dental crowns according to different design requirements. For example, some light-cured resins can quickly solidify into the desired shape after undergoing specific lighting procedures for 3D printing. Resin materials are relatively light, have less burden on the patient’s oral cavity, and can have good color performance in appearance, which can easily simulate the color of natural teeth, thus having certain advantages in aesthetics.
- In terms of biocompatibility, modern resin materials used for 3D printing of dental crowns have been developed and improved, with good biocompatibility and no obvious adverse stimulation or allergic reaction to the patient’s oral tissue. For example, some resin materials certified by the European Union CE have certain safety guarantees and can be used safely in the oral cavity for a long time.
Applicable situations
Resin materials are usually suitable for making temporary crowns or permanent crowns that do not require particularly high strength. In some cases where it is urgent to restore the appearance of the teeth and wait for subsequent treatment, temporary crowns printed with resin materials can be used first. For patients who need frequent repairs or replacement of crowns, resin materials can also provide a more economical and convenient choice. In addition, when the aesthetic effect of the crown is required and the patient’s teeth bite force is not very strong, resin crowns are also a good choice.
Metallic materials
Features
- Metal materials such as titanium and titanium alloys used for 3D printing of dental crowns have high strength and can withstand large biting forces. Titanium metal, in particular, has good biocompatibility and is not prone to chemical reactions such as corrosion in the oral environment. For example, in the production of dental implant crowns, titanium metal is a relatively ideal choice. It can combine well with the implant to provide patients with a stable dental restoration structure.
- Metal-printed dental crowns have good durability and can be used in the oral cavity for a long time without easy wear or damage. However, compared to resin materials, metal materials may have slightly worse aesthetics and usually require surface treatment (such as porcelain fused to metal) to improve their aesthetics.
Applicable situations
Suitable for situations where high strength and durability of dental crowns are required, such as the restoration of molars and patients with severe oral wear or strong bite force. Metal materials are also widely used in the production of dental crowns because they can ensure a long-term stable connection between the implant and the crown, and can withstand greater chewing stress at the implant site.
Other materials
In addition to resins and metal materials, there are also some composite materials being studied and applied in the field of 3D printing dental crowns.
These composite materials are designed to combine the advantages of resins and metal materials, such as good biocompatibility, appropriate strength, and good aesthetics.
Some ceramic composite resin materials are also used in the production of dental crowns. They can resemble natural teeth in appearance and have a certain strength to adapt to the chewing environment in the oral cavity. However, the application of these materials is relatively new, and there are still some issues that need to be further solved in printing technology, cost control, and performance optimization.
Clinical application of 3D printed dental crowns
Dental restoration
- 3D printed crowns can be used to cover damaged teeth when the patient’s teeth are damaged or decayed. After obtaining the patient’s teeth data through 3D scanning, the dentist designs and produces crowns that match the patient’s remaining teeth well. This type of crown can restore the appearance, size, and certain chewing function of the teeth. For example, when a tooth is partially damaged due to cavities or trauma, the 3D printed crown can repair the damaged part, keeping it intact and coordinated with the surrounding teeth, and able to function normally during occlusion.
- Dental crowns cover dental implants. In dental implant treatment, 3D printed dental crowns are also an important component. After the implant is successfully implanted in the patient’s alveolar bone, a dental crown needs to be installed to complete the entire dental implant process. 3D printing technology can customize a perfectly adapted dental crown based on the position, angle, and oral shape of the implant. This can ensure good fit between the dental crown and the implant, improve the success rate of dental implants, and improve the patient’s comfort.
Orthodontic treatment
- As a tool for making temporary braces, in orthodontic treatment, it is sometimes necessary to make temporary braces to adjust the position of teeth. 3D printing crown technology can efficiently manufacture accurate temporary braces. By obtaining and analyzing the patient’s oral data, braces that conform to the patient’s current dental state can be printed. These braces can apply appropriate corrective force to the teeth, gradually moving them to the ideal position. For example, in the early stages of orthodontic treatment or when local adjustments are needed to the correction plan, 3D printed temporary braces can play an important transitional role.
- Personalized orthodontic retainer production. After orthodontic treatment, patients usually need to wear retainers to consolidate the treatment effect. 3D printing can customize personalized retainers according to the shape of the patient’s teeth after treatment. Compared with traditional retainers, this retainer fits the patient’s teeth better, is more comfortable to wear, and can better maintain the position of teeth after correction to prevent tooth rebound. Because the shape of each patient’s teeth is unique after orthodontic treatment, 3D printing technology can accurately capture these differences and produce a 100% matching retainer.
Oral surgery
- 3D printing crown technology can be used to make surgical guides in oral surgery, such as dental implant surgery or complex tooth extraction surgery. Surgical guides are auxiliary tools based on patient oral scan data. In dental implant surgery, surgical guides can clearly indicate important parameters such as implant position, depth, and angle, helping doctors perform surgical operations more accurately and improve the success rate and accuracy of surgery. Compared with traditional surgical methods, the use of 3D printed surgical guides can control implant placement errors within a smaller range, reducing complications caused by surgical errors, such as nerve damage, unstable dentition, and other problems related to surgical errors.
- 3D printing can accurately replicate the patient’s oral anatomy and create oral anatomy models. These models can be used for case discussions between doctors and patients to visually display the patient’s oral condition. During the surgical planning process, doctors can better plan the surgical plan through these physical models, such as determining the incision location and evaluating the space for surgical operations. At the same time, it also helps to explain the surgical process to patients and improve their understanding and acceptance of the surgery.
The market prospect of 3D printed dental crowns
Medical market demand growth
- With the improvement of oral health awareness and the change of people’s health concepts, the importance of oral health is constantly increasing. In modern society, people pay more attention to the aesthetics, functionality, prevention and treatment of oral diseases. The demand for dental treatments such as dental crown restoration is increasing, which provides broad development space for the 3D printed dental crown market. For example, more patients are willing to accept high-quality dental restoration methods such as dental implants, and the demand for 3D printed dental crowns, as an important part of the dental implantation process, will also increase accordingly.
- With the increasing personalized needs of patients, different patients have different personalized requirements for dental crowns, such as the shape, color, and compatibility with their own teeth. 3D printing technology can well meet these personalized needs and provide unique dental crown solutions for each patient. This personalized production capability will make 3D printed dental crowns more competitive in the market and attract more patients to choose 3D printed dental crowns for oral restoration.
Technological progress promotes
- With the continuous development of 3D printing technology, the accuracy of printers has been continuously improved. In the field of dentistry, higher printing accuracy means that dental crowns that are finer and more in line with oral anatomy can be produced. For example, some high-end 3D printers can achieve micron-level printing accuracy, which can accurately reproduce the subtle structure of teeth. This not only improves the quality of dental crowns, but also enhances the patient’s user experience, making 3D printed dental crowns more advantageous in performance.
- With the development of new materials, new materials suitable for 3D printing dental crowns are constantly being developed. These new materials may have better biocompatibility, stronger mechanical properties, or more beautiful appearance. For example, the development of new resin materials can improve the strength of dental crowns while ensuring biocompatibility and aesthetics, while new metal composite materials may have the advantages of both metal and non-metal materials. The application of new materials will further expand the market application scope of 3D printing dental crowns, attracting more dental medical institutions and patients to adopt 3D printing dental crown technology.
Cost reduction trend
- With the popularity of 3D printing technology, the equipment cost of printers is gradually decreasing. More and more dental clinics and laboratories can afford the purchase cost of 3D printing equipment, making the application of 3D printing crown technology more widespread. For example, some small dental clinics have also begun to purchase relatively affordable desktop 3D printers to carry out crown 3D printing businesses.
- Material cost. Similarly, with the expansion of material research and production scale, the material cost of 3D printed dental crowns is gradually decreasing. Large-scale production can reduce the cost of unit materials, and new material synthesis technologies also help to reduce the production cost of materials. The reduction of material costs will reduce the overall cost of 3D printed dental crowns, making them more competitive in the market and further promoting their market development.
