Formlabs has launched a new dental business division to enable dentists to 3D print their own dental prosthetics such as crowns, bridges and dentures.
Formlabs Dental wants to strengthen the ties between dentists and the labs that create these prostheses to encourage dentists to embrace the world of digital dentistry through 3D printing technology.
Somerville, Mass.-based Formlabs said its 3D printers are already the most installed 3D printers in dental labs, according to Key Group research. The company also said that its new division has a team of dental professionals dedicated to providing the best 3D printing solutions.
The new Form 3B printer and platform will offer the next generation of dental materials, a dedicated service team and software to help streamline workflows. I asked if you could get your dentures on the same day while you wait at the office. A spokesperson responded, “It wouldn’t be a same-day print situation, but it is exponentially faster than current denture manufacturing processes, allowing patients to get their new teeth out faster than ever before.”
Above: Formlabs Form 3B printer can print molds or your teeth or even crowns.
Image credit: Formlabs
“From [the launch of] adoption of Form 2, 3D printing in the dental industry has grown significantly,” Jay Burton, orthodontist at SmileMaker Orthodontics, said in a statement. “By lowering the cost of entry, Formlabs has revolutionized the dental market. Today’s announcement of Form 3B will continue to increase technology adoption and help deliver dental products you’ll be proud to deliver. The incredibly accurate Form 3B produces clean and stable dental components, and the Dental ServicePlan provides the confidence to go digital.”
Formlabs has over 50 materials scientists and print processing engineers to support its dental products. Seven dental materials are available for use in the Form 3B printer, including the internal biocompatible SurgicalGuide resin.
Formlabs also offers four new shades to its denture material library. The company continues to improve and launch new print settings for its legacy Dental SG and Dental LT materials. This printer enables a growing list of over 10 dental applications and users can seamlessly switch between a library of cartridge system resins.
Above: Formlabs can print molds of your teeth much faster and more cost-effectively.
Image credit: Formlabs
Each application is validated and reviewed by a team of dental experts to ensure quality and accuracy. 3D printers can make crowns and bridges, aligners and retainers, diagnostic models, surgical guides, chewing splints, cast and press designs, dentures and other items.
The department also has a team of people who help dentists develop self-service solutions and specialized trainings.
“When patients visit the dentist, they want a quick, customized solution for their teeth,” said Formlabs co-founder and CEO Max Lobovsky. “Our new Form 3B printer is uniquely tailored to seamlessly digitize, streamline and accelerate workflow so dentists and technicians can focus on providing patients with the results they expect and deserve. We have already touched the lives of more than hundreds of thousands of patients, having printed 13 million dental components on Form 2 and, with the launch of Form 3B, we aim to extend this reach even further to ensure that all dental care providers can deliver an excellent level of attention to their patients’.
In addition to dentists, Formlabs is aimed at engineers, designers and manufacturers.
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