by Julia Latham, DDS
The past 3 years of experience in our practice have made it clear that 3D printing provides numerous benefits for patients and practices alike. The digital impression-taking process is far more comfortable for the patient than the conventional process of using an alginate and pouring it up in stone. The 3D printing process eliminates the bubbles and imperfections often resulting from the conventional fabrication approach while delivering far better precision and durability. The ability to 3D print in the office also reduces the number of visits to the practice—which is particularly important to patients who live far from the practice. If a printed appliance is ever lost or damaged, a replacement can quickly be printed using the existing model. In addition, utilizing a digital workflow makes it easier for patients to visualize how their teeth will look at the temporary stage, reducing the number of adjustments and lab remakes at the final stage. Finally, patients benefit from the same-day 3D printing of retainers, which avoids the risk of relapse that could occur if the patient fails to appear for the follow-up appointment to pick up a lab-made retainer.
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