3D Printing A New Trend In Dentistry

Although it’s not yet a common appliance in the average household, the normalization of 3D printing has finally made its way into certain businesses with dental offices being one of them. But why would a dentist need such a machine for their work? These printers aren’t just for making little statues. Discover how 3D printing can make your next dental visit in Diamond Bar faster and easier than ever before!

The Basics of 3D Printing

In case you’re not familiar with how a 3D printer works, a string of plastic is melted and shaped into any form by a machine. A blueprint is fed through the computer to be communicated to the machine that distributes the melted plastic accordingly. When it’s done, you end up with an exact replica of the original blueprint to be used however you wish. While this seems like futuristic technology, the history of improving 3D printing into what it is today dates back a few decades.

How Dentists Use 3D Printing

3D printing is an incredible technology that took decades to perfect and is still seeing improvements to this day. But what does that mean for the world of dentistry? Patients who are looking to get restorative dental treatment done are in for a pleasant surprise. Thanks to the genius innovation that lead to 3D printers being cheaper and more practical to use, they are a valid means of crafting crowns, bridges, dentures, and the like. And while some people may be skeptical about the quality of the product, this advanced method can garner better results since it requires an accurate digital scan of your mouth for the most custom fit. There are many more reasons why 3D printers serve as an undeniable upgrade from traditional methods.

Compared to Traditional Practices

For the longest time, traditional methods required the use of modeling clay and impression trays in order to get a mold of your teeth or to hand-craft restorative pieces. Not only does this take much more time out of everyone’s day, but it’s not always accurate. For example, getting a set of dentures would require you to bite down on a tray so that they can get impressions of your mouth, but it takes time to send it out to a lab where they create the dentures and there’s always the possibility of the tray being altered somewhere along the way which would lead to a product that doesn’t fit how it should. Not only that, but the cost of the final product and all of the time and effort it took to create it will cost you a pretty penny. So in comparison, 3D printing for restorative dentistry is faster, cheaper, and more accurate.

The quality of today’s 3D printers are becoming reliable enough to be used for all kinds of important industries, and it’s only a matter of time before there’s a machine in every household. The reason why businesses are getting them first is that while it’s becoming more standardized in general, it’s currently at an average price range where it doesn’t cost much for a profitable company but is still high enough to where the typical consumer isn’t in a rush to by one for home use. For instance, a decent at-home 3D printer may cost around $300-$500 or more.

The Process of Getting a 3D Restoration

You may already be familiar with traditional practices for receiving a dental restoration, but what can you expect when visiting a dentist’s office with a 3D printer? You’ll be glad to know that the procedure is much faster and easier to the point where you won’t even want to go back to the old way of doing things. In fact, most (if not all) 3D printing services are a same-day process! You’ll begin with your usual consultation and exam so your dentist can make the most optimal recommendations for your situation. They will then take a simple digital x-ray of your mouth which only takes a moment. Your dentist will use that digital scan to craft an accurate blueprint for your dental restoration. Once the 3D printer receives the blueprint, it will create an identical version. After running some tests to ensure your restorative piece fits well and comfortably, you’re good to go! Dental visits have never been easier.

Experience Modern Dentistry In Diamond Bar

When you come to Phillips Ranch Dental Group for your next restorative dental service, you will receive the best care in Diamond Bar with state-of-the-art technology and the most up-to-date practices. This is to ensure that you get the most optimal experience with the best results every time you come to see our expert dentists and trained staff. Call 909-860-0321 for more information about our extensive line of services, what to expect during your visit, and to schedule your next appointment. To save yourself a bit of time, you can also plan your next visit online!