The Institute of Digital Dentistry’s 

Dental 3D Printer Awards 2024

As digital transformation continues to reshape dentistry, 3D printing stands at the forefront of this revolution, fundamentally changing how dental professionals approach patient care. What began as a niche technology has evolved into an indispensable tool, transforming everything from surgical guide, and splint fabrication to definitive restorations.

This year marks a pivotal moment in dental 3D printing. We've witnessed unprecedented innovations in both hardware and materials, with manufacturers pushing the boundaries of what's possible in digital dentistry. From groundbreaking press-print technology to advanced resin formulations that may rival traditional materials, the industry has taken remarkable strides forward.

Our comprehensive awards evaluates printers across multiple categories, considering crucial factors such as print quality, speed, reliability, ease of use, and value proposition. Each winner has been carefully selected based on rigorous testing and real-world performance in dental practices and laboratories.

Whether you're a seasoned digital dentistry veteran or just beginning to explore 3D printing technology, these awards offer valuable insights into the current state of the industry and highlight the solutions that truly stand out in today's competitive landscape.

Join us as we celebrate excellence in dental 3D printing and recognize the innovations that are shaping the future of our profession.

As always, our People's Choice Award will be decided by our community, so make sure you cast your vote.

Let us begin with the 2024 iDD Dental 3D Printer Awards!

3D Printer of the Year

Sprintray MIDAS

Awarded to the standout dental 3D printer that set new industry standards in 2024.

No printer has generated more buzz in dental 3D printing in 2024 than the SprintRay Midas. This isn't just another 3D printer - it represents a potential paradigm shift in how we may approach 3D printing restorations in dentistry.

The Midas has captured the industry's attention through its promise to revolutionize chairside restorative workflows. The ability to press-print resins has sparked conversations about the future of dental manufacturing across the industry. What makes it truly remarkable is how SprintRay has packaged this innovation into a complete, validated workflow that feels accessible to everyday practitioners. From their cloud-based design service to their proprietary materials, they've created an ecosystem that makes printing definitive restorations feel achievable for practices of any size.

Whether the Midas lives up to its golden promises remains to be seen, but there's no denying that it has pushed the boundaries of what we thought possible in dental 3D printing. This printer has single-handedly accelerated the conversation about the role of additive manufacturing in definitive dental restorations.

Best All-Purpose Chairside 3D Printer

Sprintray Pro 2

Honourable Mentions - Ackuretta SOL & Formlabs 4B

Awarded to the dental 3D printer providing the best combination of print speed, precision, and reliability for chairside use.

SprintRay continues their dominance in chairside printing with the Pro 2. Just as CEREC defined chairside milling, SprintRay has established themselves as one of the gold standards for in-office 3D printing workflows.

The Pro 2 represents everything that makes chairside 3D printing viable - when paired with their ProWash and ProCure systems, it creates a seamless workflow that just works. The cloud-based software platform takes the complexity out of the printing process, while their extensive library of dental resins covers virtually every chairside indication.

What sets the Pro 2 apart isn't just individual features - it's the complete ecosystem. SprintRay's AI-powered design service integration means dentists can go from scan to design to print without leaving the workflow. Their validated materials, especially for restorative work, have become the benchmark for chairside printing quality.

The Pro 2 demonstrates that chairside 3D printing has matured beyond just being possible - it's now predictable, efficient, and practical for everyday clinical use.

Best All-Purpose Lab 3D Printer

Asiga Ultra

Honourable Mentions - NextDent 5100

Awarded to the standout dental laboratory 3D printer combining precision, capacity, and workflow efficiency.

Just as SprintRay dominates the chairside space, Asiga continues to reign supreme in the lab environment with their printers. The newly released Asiga Ultra maintains their reputation for exceptional print quality while offering the versatility modern dental labs demand.

The Ultra's strength lies in its unmatched material compatibility, with over 500 validated resin profiles available for download. From models to surgical guides, denture bases to casting resins - this printer handles it all with precision. Combining a large build platform with Ultra Gloss technology, it delivers both the capacity labs need and superior surface finish, particularly in clear appliance printing.

In an increasingly crowded market, the Ultra stands out by excelling across all applications rather than specializing in just one, making it an excellent choice for lab-based dental printing.

Fastest 3D Printer on the Market

UniZ NBEE

Honourable Mentions - Nextdent 5100

Awarded to the 3D printer with the fastest print speeds available while maintaining precision and reliability.

Once again, the UNIZ NBEE retains its title as the speed demon of dental 3D printing. When it comes to pure printing velocity, no other printer on the market beats what the NBEE can achieve.

The numbers speak for themselves - 6 full arch models in 8 minutes remain unmatched in the industry. While other manufacturers have been working to catch up, UNIZ's UDP (Ultra-fast Digital Printing) technology continues to set the bar to beat in print speeds.

For labs and practices where production volume and throughput are critical factors, the NBEE is a printer to consider for sure. Especially when speed is the absolute priority.

Easiest Printer to Delegate

Formlabs 4B

Honourable Mentions - Dentsply Sirona Primeprint

Awarded to the 3D printer delivering exceptional ease-of-use and consistent performance.

Formlabs continues to perfect what they do best - creating one of the most user-friendly printing experiences in dentistry. The 4B takes their proven formula and refines it further.

Their cartridge-based resin system eliminates the mess of manual pouring - simply click in a cartridge and the printer handles the rest, automatically maintaining optimal resin levels. For staff members new to 3D printing, this automated approach makes it much simpler to delegate and manage print jobs. 

PreForm dental software also is one of the most intuitive printer interfaces. There's no steep learning curve - the software guides users through each step with clear instructions and automated support generation. Combined with the printer's automated calibration and setup processes, it creates a workflow that any team member can manage confidently.

In a field where delegation is crucial for practice efficiency, the 4B proves that advanced technology doesn't have to be complicated. It's the printer you can confidently hand over to your team knowing they'll get predictable results every time.

Best Compact Performance Printer

Asiga Max 2

Honourable Mentions - Sprintray MIDAS

Awarded to the dental 3D printer that delivers outstanding performance and precision in the most space-efficient design.

The Asiga Max 2 proves that great things come in small packages. This compact powerhouse manages to pack the precision and capabilities of much larger machines into an incredibly small footprint.

Like its predecessor, the Max 2 gives users access to Asiga's extensive library of validated resins and materials, in a form factor that fits comfortably on any bench. While its build platform may be smaller than its larger siblings, smart engineering ensures every millimeter of space is utilized effectively.

The printer excels at producing beautiful, accurate prints despite its small size. Whether it's surgical guides, splints, or models, the Max 2 delivers the same exceptional quality you'd expect from larger Asiga printers.

For practices and labs where space is at a premium but quality can't be compromised, the Max 2 continues to be an excellent solution - proving that you don't need a large footprint to achieve professional results.

Best Value 3D Printer

Shining 3D AccuFab CEL

Honourable Mentions - Formlabs 4B

Awarded to the dental 3D printer providing the best combination of features and performance for the price.

The Shining 3D AccuFab CEL takes home this year's best value award through its impressive balance of capability and affordability. While not the absolutely cheapest printer you can buy, it offers an exceptional balance of features, build volume options, and print quality at its price point.

What makes the AccuFab CEL stand out is its impressive feature set that you typically find in much more expensive printers. Great build quality, capable software and Shining 3D's growing library of validated resins means this printer can handle basically everything you will likely want to print.

While budget printers often cut corners on build quality, the AccuFab CEL maintains a solid construction that inspires confidence in its longevity. The printer's integration with Shining 3D's software ecosystem provides a straightforward workflow that doesn't feel budget-constrained.

For practices looking to enter the world of dental 3D printing without breaking the bank, the AccuFab CEL is a great option to consider.

Innovators in Advancing Dental 3D Printing

SprintRay

Honourable Mentions - Ackuretta

Awarded for outstanding innovation in dental 3D printing technology.

SprintRay continues to be the driving force pushing dental 3D printing forward. The launch of their Midas printer and accompanying ecosystem has single-handedly accelerated the conversation around printed definitive restorations, but their innovation runs much deeper than hardware alone.

Their aggressive development of dental-specific resins has been particularly impressive. The company has introduced a remarkable array of new materials, from their Pro Temp for long-term temporaries to their groundbreaking crown materials for definitive restorations. Each new resin comes with comprehensive validation studies and clear clinical workflows, showing their commitment to evidence-based innovation.

What sets SprintRay apart is their understanding that advancing 3D printing isn't just about faster printers - it's about developing materials that solve real clinical challenges. Their materials science team has consistently delivered resins that match or exceed the properties of traditional materials, while maintaining the advantages of digital workflow.

The speed at which they develop, validate, and bring new materials to market, along with their cloud-based infrastructure and innovative hardware like the Midas, demonstrates why they remain at the forefront of dental 3D printing innovation.

Best 3D Printer Software

SprintRay

Honourable Mentions - Formlabs

Awarded to the company with the easiest to use and most impressive software.

SprintRay's RayWare takes the award for best 3D printing software in 2024. Their cloud-based platform combines powerful capabilities with an intuitive interface that makes dental 3D printing approachable for practices at any skill level.

The shift to a completely cloud-based workflow is a huge advantage. No more worrying about software updates or compatibility issues; everything is handled seamlessly in the cloud. Their expansion into CAD software further strengthens this ecosystem, allowing practices to design and print all within a single integrated platform. No other 3D printer software in dentistry comes with CAD inbuilt. 

What truly sets RayWare apart is its intelligent automation. The software handles complex tasks like support generation and orientation optimization automatically, while still giving advanced users the ability to fine-tune when needed. The integration of AI-powered design services and CAD capabilities directly within the software means practices can now go from scan to design to print without ever leaving the RayWare ecosystem.

While other companies are still focusing on basic print preparation, SprintRay has elevated their software into a complete digital workflow platform that makes dental 3D printing accessible to practices of any experience level.

Best Dental 3D Printing Resins in 2024

No discussion about dental 3D printing would be complete without talking about resins. While printer features and specifications get a lot of attention, the reality is that the success of 3D printing in dentistry comes down to the materials we use. The best printer in the world won't help if the resin isn't up to the task.

Over the past few years, we've seen incredible advancement in resin technology - from improved mechanical properties to better aesthetics, and even materials suitable for definitive restorations. These developments have been the real driving force behind the adoption of 3D printing in dentistry.

Here are our some of our picks for the best dental resins across different applications for 2025:

Best Model Resin - Asiga

Asiga's model resin continues to exemplify what a great dental model material should be. The resin produces models with exceptional detail reproduction, maintains dimensional accuracy, and creates a perfect matte surface that's ideal for thermoforming applications. The material's rapid printing speeds and excellent handling characteristics make it the go-to choice for both labs and practices producing study models, working models, and orthodontic models.

Best Surgical Guide Resin - any reputable one. 

For surgical guide printing, we've reached a point where most major manufacturers' guide resins perform admirably. The key differences now lie more in workflow validation and printer compatibility than in the materials themselves. Whether you're using NextDent SG, Asiga Guide, or SprintRay Guide - all will deliver clinically acceptable results when used correctly.

Best Crown & Bridge Resins - Rodin Sculpture, SprintRay Onyxtough / Ceramic Crown, BEGO TRINIQ, Saremco CROWNTEC

The permanent crown printing space has seen explosive growth, with these three materials leading the pack. The top picks these days seem to be Rodin Tough, SprintRay Crown, BEGO Triniq or Saremco CROWNTEC. 

Best Clear Aligner/Splint Resin- Graphy

No company has generated more buzz in the clear aligner space than Graphy. They've positioned themselves as the future of aligner production, promising to eliminate the need for thermoforming entirely. While the jury is still out on whether direct-printed aligners can match or exceed the performance of traditional thermoformed aligners, there's no denying that Graphy has become the biggest driver of innovation in this space. Their ambitious vision and significant investment in the technology has pushed the entire industry to reconsider what's possible with printed clear appliances.

Best Denture Resins - Lucitone Print

Dentsply Sirona's Lucitone Print remains the gold standard for printed denture materials. The material's color stability, strength, and ability to reproduce natural-looking tissue aesthetics make it stand out. When combined with their validated workflow, it produces dentures that rival traditional methods in terms of both aesthetics and function.

Best Full Arch Model Resins - SprintRay Tough 2 & Rodin Titan

When it comes to printing full arch prosthetics for All-on-X cases, these two materials lead the pack. Both offer the crucial combination of strength and aesthetics needed for long-term provisional and hybrid prosthetics. Both SprintRay Tough 2 and Rodin Titan resins seem to be the go-to. Both materials provide the necessary strength to handle the forces of full arch implant cases while maintaining their aesthetic properties over time.

And that's a wrap!

Cast your vote for the People's Choice Awards! Voting is open now!

Don't miss your chance to celebrate your favorite dental 3D Printer!

Vote for the People's Choice Award

Big congratulations to all the winners. To stay up to date with everything digital dentistry, check out our blog here!

For those looking for training in this exciting field of dentistry, click here to learn more about our iDD online academy.

January 23, 2025

About the author 

Dr Ahmad is a global leader in digital dentistry, intraoral scanners, 3D printing and CAD/CAM, carrying out lectures as a KOL for many companies and industry. He is one of the few in the world who owns and has tested all intraoral scanners (over 25) and CAD/CAM systems in his clinic. Dr Ahmad Al-Hassiny is a full-time private dentist in New Zealand and the Director of The Institute of Digital Dentistry (iDD), a world-leading digital dentistry education provider. iDD offers live courses, masterclasses, and an online training platform, with a mission to ensure dentists globally have easy and affordable access to the best digital dentistry training possible.


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