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32 prosthodontic section DENTAL TECHNOLOGY, JANUARY-MARCH 2025

FIG 6: Post-placement view: Surgical guide seated in position, confirming precise FIG 7: 3D-Printed surgical guide for precision in FIG 8: Completed Dental Splint Print –
alignment with implant osteotomy sites for accurate implant insertion. (Credit: Dr. implant placement – Engineered for accuracy Precision-Fit Appliance Fresh of the Build Plate,
Manav Kalra) and optimal fit Ready for Post-Processing

bration.
• Material compatibility: Open systems offer
more resin options but may need custom set-
tings.
• Ease of use: Plug-and-play systems with pre-
validated workflows are ideal for beginners.
• Support and training: Opt for vendors offer-
ing strong after-sales support and training mod-
ules.
FIG 9: Finished 3D-printed dental splint – crafted with FIG 10: From digital design to reality – custom dental
precision for superior patient comfort and fit splint ready for clinical application IS IT WORTH THE INVESTMENT?
For practices handling implant cases, prosthetic
how we approach patient care and case management. work, or occlusal appliances regularly, the return
on investment can be realized within months. A
What is Chairside 3D Printing? basic chairside setup (printer, wash/cure unit, and
Chairside 3D printing refers to the use of compact, high-precision printers within the den- resin stock) may cost `3–5 lakhs—but significantly
tal operatory or in-house lab setup. It allows practitioners to move directly from intraoral reduces the dependence.
scanning and CAD design (which can be easily outsourced to a dental laboratory as well), Chairside 3D printing is no longer the future—
making functional products in-house. it's the present. It empowers clinicians with speed,
precision, and autonomy, enabling more efficient,
Common clinical applications: patient-centric care. As more biocompatible materi-
• Surgical guides for precise implant placement using software’s like Blueskybio, als become available and software becomes easier
Realguide. to use, this technology is poised to become the
• Splints and night guards using biocompatible resins from D-Tech manufactured in India standard of care across specialties.
with predictable and reliable results.
• Provisional crowns and bridges for immediate temporization from D-Tech resin. THE ROAD AHEAD
• Custom impression trays tailored to the patient's anatomy can be made in the clear resin. With the ongoing evolution of printable materials
• Prototypes can be printed in the model resin. and printer resolution, 3D printing is poised to
• Mockup models can be printed to make putty index and show a “test-drive” of the new become the backbone of prosthodontic workflows.
smile to the patient. The future promises integration with AI-driven
design, multi-material printing, 3D printing of
WORKFLOW OVERVIEW Zirconia.
1. Scan: A wide range of intraoral scanners are now available ready to capture high-res-
olution data. CONCLUSION
2. Design: Softwares like exocad, 3Shape Design Studio, or even Blender for Dental are In conclusion, 3D printing is not a replacement for
used to create the 3D models. sound clinical judgment, but a powerful tool that
3. Print: Choose the right resin and print using SLA, DLP, or LCD-based printers (e.g., enhances it. Embracing this technology enables
Asiga, Formlabs, SprintRay Pro, Ackuretta SOL). prosthodontists to lead the way in delivering cut-
4. Post-process: Wash (99% isopropyl alcohol), cure (using Autoflash), and finish (pol- ting-edge, patient-centered care.
ish, adjust).
5. Delivery: The appliance is tried and delivered the same day—often in a single appoint-
ment.
About the author
REAL-WORLD BENEFITS Dr. Ramit Lamba is a passionate and
• Time savings: A surgical guide that used to take 3–5 days can now be delivered with- experienced dentist, specializing in
in a few hours. the field of digital dentistry and
• Cost efficiency: In-house production can reduce the overall cost. Implantology. Adapt in building and
fostering beneficial peer-to-peer
• Patient experience: Same-day prosthetics build trust, reduce follow-ups, and improve
relationships among dentists, and
acceptance. advocating for the most optimal
• Better control: Clinicians can immediately assess fit and make adjustments. patient care possible. Experienced
in providing ongoing digital dental
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A CHAIRSIDE PRINTER education to dentists and dental laboratory members.
Bringing forth a dedication to establishing key relationships
• Accuracy: Essential for clinical fit—Asiga and SprintRay offer sub-50 micron precision.
and continually aiding in the advancement of dentistry.
• Speed: LCD printers like Ackuretta SOL print faster but may need more frequent cali-