by Dr. Julia Latham
In our practice, 3D printing has numerous applications. The ability to print models for retainers, night guards, diagnostic casts, or aligners, is invaluable. In instances where retainers need to be delivered to the patient as soon as possible after the orthodontics or restorative is completed, we can now take a highly accurate 3D scan, print and fabricate the retainers for the patient to pick up a few hours later, and reduce the risk of orthodontic relapse.
Below is a case example on how we fabricate retainers ahead of time for patients with orthodontic brackets on. It is simple to scan the patient, digitally remove the brackets, and fabricate the retainer so it is ready to be inserted at the debonding appointment.
