A couple of decades ago, 3D printing wasn’t widely available. Now, it’s a fundamental staple of the orthodontic and greater medical industry. Sturgill Orthodontics is here to explain how 3D printing works in orthodontics and what makes this technology so valuable in helping us create beautiful smiles.
The Role of 3D Printing
So, how exactly is this technology used by Dr. Sturgill, Dr. Williams, and Dr. Harper in our practice? It’s not always part of every single treatment plan, but it does play a role in many of them, particularly for teen and adult patients who opt for clear aligners like Invisalign.
- Scanning and Imaging: These days, we conduct digital scans of patients’ teeth in 3D, as opposed to messy physical impressions. It creates an ultra-precise three-dimensional model of your exact dental structure, which we can use as a resource for any further fabrication.
- A Digital Treatment Plan: We use specialized software to create a custom treatment plan with this data. This software provides us with a visual model demonstrating how teeth will move during treatment, among other things.
- Printing Models and Appliances: When it comes to fabrication, 3D printing is the best option available for creating bespoke components. Here are a few of the ways it can be used:
- Clear aligners: Each set of aligner trays is based on a patient’s custom scan, and are slightly different from one another as time passes. This is what allows teeth to shift according to the treatment plan we create for you at Sturgill Orthodontics.
- Custom brackets and wires: 3D printing can be used for brackets to ensure they fit each tooth precisely, which can help with functionality and comfort.
- Retainers and more: 3D printing can also be used for retainers, expanders, and other orthodontic devices for a more tailored fit.
The Benefits of 3D Printing
When you really think about it, the fact that we’re able to utilize 3D printing every day is pretty remarkable! It’s something we can take for granted, like carrying a camera in our pocket every day. Let’s look at a few more advantages of this:
- Precision and Efficiency: One of the greatest highlights of 3D printing is its accuracy and efficiency of production. Having a machine autonomously fabricate these appliances tends to help shorten patients’ wait times.
- Diagnostic Advantages: Another aspect of having a 3D reference is how it enables us to identify multiple issues more accurately. We can view dental anatomy from various vantage points. The more data we have in the beginning, the better our doctors are able to compose accurate, predictable treatment plans.
- Supports Complexity: Even for those with unique anatomical structures or significant misalignment, 3D printing can help us easily navigate treatment planning. This flexibility helps Sturgill Orthodontics treat a wider range of patients and find solutions for all manner of issues.
- Replacements: If a patient loses or damages an Invisalign tray or their retainer, the data can easily be used to create another appliance. Generally, though, keeping up with them is the best route.
- Patient Comfort and Satisfaction: In terms of how precisely these aligner trays and braces components are made, it’s a difference patients can really feel. They can also see a clear picture of their treatment’s progress from day one. For these reasons, they tend to be a lot happier with their treatment experience overall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Finally, we’ll cover some common questions we get about 3D printing in our practice. Yes, it’s very cool—but understandably, very complex!
Q: What did you do before digital scans?
A traditional impression can be a sticky process involving a physical mold. This is not to say that it can’t be an effective option, but it is considerably more laborious than capturing and fabricating based on a digital scan.
Q: Are there any risks associated with 3D-printed orthodontic devices?
Invisalign is made of biocompatible, BPA-free plastic that is widely safe to use. This treatment route doesn’t present any additional risks compared to its counterparts.
Q: How do I maintain a 3D-printed appliance?
It’s a fairly similar process to caring for your braces or retainers. The main thing is to keep them clean and free of bacteria. If they are made of plastic, you should avoid exposure to high heat, which can result in warping.
Smiling in a New Dimension
Our team loves being able to educate our patients about the technological advances of orthodontic treatment. Hopefully, you’ll find it as fascinating as we do! We can’t wait to welcome you to one of our offices in Johnson City, Bristol, or Norton,