Dental three-dimensional printing can be used in a variety of ways. It is becoming an integral part of dentistry, and it is used by dentists, orthodontists, prosthodontists and oral surgeons.
Accurate Images for Optimal Dental Care
Three-dimensional printing starts with a scanner that creates a super accurate, individualized image of a patient’s dental surface. Then, software translates the scan into a 3D representation. The image may be a tooth, several teeth, or the entire jaw. This eliminates the need of doing traditional impressions using molding plaster.
Dental professionals use three-dimensional printing for cancer patients, birth defects, injury, or receding bone. These high-resolution images are used to create prosthetics, implants, and stents.
Assistance with Dental Implants and Other Prosthetics
Three-dimensional printing is also valuable in the planning processes of many procedures. It provides highly detailed information on the depth and width of bones. Proto types can be created for complex reconstructions, ensuring the accuracy and fit of permanent prosthetics.
Dentists rely heavily on three-dimensional printing to help with dental implant restorations. The images give the dentist the advantage of knowing how the placement of the implant post will affect the eventual attachment of a crown. The dentist uses this information as a guide to optimally angle the implant post and place it. This also helps protect the sinuses and nerves from being injured.
Three-Dimensional Printing Use with Milling Machines
The scan can be turned into a physical model when it is transferred to a milling machine where solid materials can be carved and molded into a variety of dental prosthetics. It can:
- Replace and repair a damaged tooth
- Create orthodontic models
- Produce crowns, bridges, caps, dentures and more
- Construct surgical tools
Three-dimensional printing is being used more frequently by dentists because it eliminates many steps to dental procedures, providing a more convenient dental experience that saves time. Messy impressions are eliminated, and sometimes the need of temporary prosthetics is avoided. They also allow dentist to be more accurate in their services.
Contact Dr. Jose Lomboy in Sacramento for High Tech Service
Dr. Jose Lomboy takes advantage of three-dimensional printing to provide his patients with the highest quality dental care that modern technology has to offer. For excellent and compassionate dental care, contact Woodbridge Dental Services in Irvine today!