Stampa 3D: Materialise introduce il modulo dentale per Magics

By introducing a new add-on to Magics software, Materialise seeks to automate 3D-printing preparation in dental laboratories. (Image: Materialise)

LEUVEN, Belgium: It comes as no surprise that dentistry is becoming increasingly digitalized. Following the trend, Materialise, a global leader in 3D-printing solutions, has recently introduced a new Dental Module for Magics. This addition to the Magics software is designed to enable dental laboratories to fully optimize and automate their 3D-printing preparation workflow for dental applications.

According to the company, Dental Module will provide  dental laboratories with easy-to-use tools that will ensure a scalable 3D-printing process. “3D printing has become well established within dentistry,” Dr. Volker  Schillen, market innovation manager at  Materialise, said in a press release.

“Today, many dental labs have their own printers and create custom parts for dental restoration daily. Their next goal is optimizing the workflow so dental specialists can reduce the amount of time spent manually preparing designs to be printed. With automated tools, specialists can instead use this time on other valuable responsibilities, such as meeting with patients,” he explained.

After uploading the dental CAD to the platform, the user only needs to click a button and the software will automate all the required printing preparation steps, including labeling, nesting, and generating support structures. The company explained that, by doing so, tasks that often take hours to complete manually are finalized within only a couple of minutes. Additionally, Materialise noted that the module provides advanced control over processing steps since processing profiles can be customized.

With its 3D-printing software solutions, Materialise helps customers working across a wide range of industries to optimize their additive manufacturing activities. With the introduction of the Dental Module, Materialise now boasts a total of ten modules that are available for Magics users. The modules were created with the purpose of automating printing preparation tasks such as support generation and 3D nesting, the company explained.

What filaments to use in 3D printing

Dental 3D printing has revolutionized the field of dentistry by enabling the production of highly accurate and customized dental prosthetics and models. Various filaments are used in dental 3D printing, each with its unique properties and applications. Here are some commonly used filaments in dental 3D printing:

1. Dental Resin: Dental resins are photopolymer materials that cure under UV light. They offer high precision and detail, making them suitable for creating dental models, surgical guides, and temporary crowns. Dental resins come in different formulations, such as biocompatible resins for producing direct restorations like dentures and splints.
2. Dental Wax: Dental wax filaments are used for creating wax-ups and patterns for the casting and milling processes. Wax 3D printing allows for accurate replication of tooth anatomy, facilitating the production of dental crowns, bridges, and partial dentures. These printed wax models serve as a foundation for traditional lost-wax casting techniques.
3. Bioresorbable Materials: Bioresorbable or biodegradable filaments are used for printing temporary splints and surgical guides. These materials gradually degrade and are absorbed by the body over time. Bioresorbable filaments are ideal for short-term dental applications, as they provide support during healing and eventually dissolve, eliminating the need for removal.
4. Clear and Flexible Materials: Clear and flexible filaments find applications in orthodontics, such as producing clear aligners and retainers. These materials have excellent clarity, allowing for aesthetic transparency, and offer the necessary flexibility for comfortable wear. Clear and flexible filaments provide an alternative to traditional orthodontic appliances.
5. High-Temperature Materials: High-temperature filaments are used in dental 3D printers capable of reaching elevated temperatures. These filaments are suitable for printing dental applications that require resistance to high temperatures, such as casting patterns and molds for metal frameworks. High-temperature materials ensure dimensional stability and withstand the casting process without warping or deformation.

It’s important to note that the specific filaments used in dental 3D printing can vary depending on the 3D printer technology being employed, such as digital light processing (DLP), stereolithography (SLA), or fused deposition modeling (FDM). Dental laboratories and clinics may choose filaments based on their intended applications, desired properties, and compatibility with their specific 3D printing systems.

Source: Dental Tribune
October 19, 2021