3D Printing

3D printing is a rapidly growing technology in dental laboratories as well as here at Norwich Aesthetic Dentistry. Our dental 3D printer feature a laser that polymerize a liquid with the computer-guided precision required to produce small objects with intricate details. It is capable of producing models, parts and even complete restorations out of a range of materials. The 3D printer increase our efficiency.
Dental 3D printing allows dentists to create high quality replications of anatomical items, such as a three-dimensional dental model of the patient’s jaws. This allows dentists to obtain a better understanding of a patient’s anatomy before developing a surgical approach, minimizing the risks that might occur during surgery.
Additionally, dentists can create new methods and procedures for surgery thanks to viewing the mandibles and jaws created by 3D printers. This application of 3D printing has become mainstream thanks to the development of cone-beam computed tomography, as the high quality image data provided by CBCT can be imported to the 3D printer to create a perfect replica of the patient’s jaws.

Other Technologies

CEREC
Invisalign
CBCT (3D X-Rays)
3D Guided Implant Surgery
Laser Dentistry
3D Printing
Digital Radiography
Sterilization

3D Printing Technology

3D printing technology has made it possible for dentists to reduce the time and cost to create perfect dental dentures, implants, crowns, braces, aligners, etc. This technology is currently used widely in several aspects of dentistry:

Surgical Guides

3D printers can create drilling and cutting surgical guides to make the surgery process easier for dentists. Surgical guides allow dentists to create a digital 3D surgery plan that guides them through the whole implant procedure. Through 3D printing, dentists can improve the accuracy of the guides.

Crowns and Bridges

For fixed and removable crowns and bridges, dentists could use 3D printers to indirectly print in burn-out resins or waxes for a lost-wax process, or directly in metals or metal alloys. Verifying the fit of prosthodontics before cementing them to a patient’s teeth is often critically important. With the help of intraoral optical scanners, dentists could develop a precise virtual model of the patient’s teeth to test the fit of prosthodontics treatment. This scan data is then used with CAD design to mill or print crowns and bridges.

Implants

Dentists have been using 3D printers to create dental implants. 3D printers have the ability to print complex geometries, such as bone-like morphology, with the bone tissue tailored to the requirement of each patient and can act as biomimetic scaffolds for bone cell enhancement. Additionally, dentists use 3D printing to create maxillofacial dental implants.

Aligners and Braces

With 3D printings, dentists can now print aligners and braces for patients in a matter of minutes. The process is straightforward. Firstly, dentists use a cone-beam CT or intraoral scanner to scan the patient data. They would then use software to realign the patient’s teeth to make a series of 3D printed models before printing. 3D printing also makes each product more accurate and custom, as they are created from precise scans of a patient’s teeth.

"Always the best dentist experience. Dr. Yates made my smile beautiful! I definitely recommend!"

Anna W

"I have been a patient of Dr. Yates at Norwich Aesthetic Dentistry for about a year. My experience up until today had been for cleanings. When I found out I needed a crown I was initially a bit apprehensive. I don't know why I was worried. Dr. Yates and his assistant Valerie were fabulous. Dr. Yates really took the time to look at the tooth that needed work and expertly fashioned an impressive crown. He was meticulous in its crafting as well as its fitting and made sure that my bite felt as natural as it had always felt. I walked out of the office feeling like a million bucks.

There is no bull when it comes to Norwich Aesthetic Dentistry. No hard sell for anything. Great Experience!"

Melanie B

" Dr. Yates and his employees have always taken great care of me and my family. They are professional, courteous, and take the utmost care of our dental needs."

Elizabeth B