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August 15, 2024

As we wrap up the inaugural season of Digital Dentistry Decoded, we're excited to bring you our season finale episode diving deep into the world of 3D printing in dentistry. 

Following our insightful discussion with Ralph Georg about AI-powered smile design in our previous episode, we conclude this season by exploring the cutting-edge realm of 3D printing. 

In this final installment, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Guillaume Bailliard, President of the Healthcare Division at Formlabs, to discuss the exciting developments in this field. With his extensive background in medical devices and fresh perspective on the dental industry, Guillaume offers unique insights into the current state and future prospects of 3D printing in dentistry.

Listen to the final episode of Season 1 of iDD’s Digital Dentistry Decoded Podcast below or continue scrolling to read the episode’s highlights:

The Evolution of 3D Printing in Dentistry

Guillaume takes us through the fascinating journey of how Formlabs entered the dental market:

"Back in 2012 we started to see an uptick of a resin in an orthodontics practice in Hawaii of all places. We had no focus on dental at the time... We went and visited the customer and they were printing models. We're like, oh my gosh, we just stumbled on 3D printing."

This serendipitous discovery led Formlabs to recognize the potential of 3D printing in dentistry, setting the stage for their significant impact on the industry.

Explore iDD’s extensive coverage of Formlabs 3D printing technology, here.

3D Printing: Bridging Labs and Chairside Applications

While 3D printing has been generating significant buzz in the dental community, Guillaume emphasizes that it's more than just hype. The technology has made substantial strides, particularly in the lab setting. As Guillaume points out:

"On the lab side, we're number one in terms of units. And the adoption rate for labs is in large labs, it's roughly 90% adoption."

This high adoption rate is driven by the efficiency gains and improved productivity that 3D printing brings to the table. For mid-sized labs, the adoption rate is around 50%, indicating that there's still room for growth.

Chairside Applications: The Next Frontier

While labs have been quick to adopt 3D printing, the technology is now making significant inroads into chairside applications. Guillaume highlights that they're seeing increasing interest from clinicians:

"We see that people today are looking towards a third phase of evolution of the dental business ...where ease-of-use, streamlined workflows, and cost are important which aligns with our motto, Dentistry Made Easier."

This shift is opening up new possibilities for in-office production of various dental appliances, from models and surgical guides to splints and even temporary restorations.

The Material Game: Driving Innovation

One of the most exciting aspects of 3D printing in dentistry is the ongoing development of new materials. Guillaume emphasizes Formlabs' commitment to this area:

"We're investing a lot in resins. We just actually launched two resins recently, Premium Teeth for denture teeth, All-on-X, and temporary restorations as well as Dental LT Comfort, which is a competitor to Keystone Soft."

This focus on material development is driving innovations that are expanding the range of applications for 3D printing in dentistry. Guillaume also hints at future developments:

"We're working on silicone, ceramics, and a lot of other resins beyond the dental market. We are able to learn from those R&D activities and deploy them in the dental market when appropriate. I think the skies the limit on what we can accomplish with 3D printing..."

Streamlining Workflows: The Key to Adoption

Formlabs is not just focusing on hardware and materials, but also on making the entire 3D printing process more efficient. Guillaume discusses their automation solutions:

"We have an automation system for model, which allows you to print 24-7 without touching the printer. We have software that we've developed that allows you to manage a fleet of printers."

These innovations are crucial for large-scale adoption, especially in lab settings where high volume production is necessary.

The Future of 3D Printing in Dentistry

Looking ahead, Guillaume sees a bright future for 3D printing in dentistry. He predicts that we're at a crucial point in adoption:

"We're right at that chasm. And to cross-order that chasm to the early majority to get to that next step, the demands of the end user in the early majority are very different than an innovator and early adopter."

This transition will require continued innovation in hardware, materials, and software to meet the needs of mainstream users. Guillaume is optimistic about the potential:

"I suspect that eventually, long-term, you might be surprised what we can accomplish and what we can print on a 3D printer. I think time will tell, but I think you'll be surprised what we were able to accomplish."

Challenges and Opportunities

While the future of 3D printing in dentistry looks bright, there are still challenges to overcome. One of these is the perception that 3D printing is difficult or time-consuming. Guillaume counters this, saying:

"I think we've timed it so that in 15 minutes you can be up and running with a 3D printer."

Another challenge is educating dentists about the benefits and applications of 3D printing. As Guillaume notes:

"The key to the success of 3D printing or any new technologies is education."

Advice for Dentists

For dentists considering adopting 3D printing technology, Guillaume offers this advice:

"Start small... I would start somewhere small to kind of make sure you're comfortable with the utility of what you're delivering to your patients."

He also emphasizes the importance of due diligence:

"Do your homework. There's a lot of noise out there. We spend an incredible amount of time on education and developing resins which are manufactured in an ISO certified and FDA registered facility. These are things that are really important to your patients."

Conclusion

The 3D printing revolution in dentistry is well underway, offering exciting possibilities for both labs and clinicians. As the technology continues to evolve and new materials are developed, we can expect to see even more applications for 3D printing in dental practices.

At iDD, we're committed to keeping you informed about these developments and helping you navigate the ever-changing landscape of digital dentistry. 

Whether you're considering adopting 3D printing in your practice or looking to expand your current capabilities, staying informed about the latest advancements is crucial.

Season 1 Wrap-Up and Looking Ahead

As we conclude the first season of Digital Dentistry Decoded, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our listeners who have joined us on this exciting journey through the world of digital dentistry. 

Over the course of this season, we've explored a wide range of topics, from AI-powered diagnostics to revolutionary smile design software, and now, cutting-edge 3D printing technology.

We've been privileged to host some of the most innovative minds in the industry, and we hope that the insights shared in these episodes have helped you navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of digital dentistry.

But this is just the beginning! 

We're thrilled to announce that we're already hard at work planning Season 2 of Digital Dentistry Decoded. In our upcoming season, we'll be diving even deeper into the latest advancements in digital dentistry, bringing you exclusive interviews with more industry leaders, and exploring new technologies that are set to revolutionize our field.

What can you expect in Season 2? We'll be covering topics such as:

  • The latest developments in AI for treatment planning
  • Advancements in intraoral scanning technology
  • The future of digital workflow integration
  • Emerging trends in dental materials for digital fabrication
  • And much more!

Stay tuned for the premiere of Season 2, where we'll continue our mission to decode the complexities of digital dentistry and help you stay at the forefront of this exciting field. 

Remember to subscribe to our podcast and follow us on social media for updates on the release date and sneak peeks of what's to come.

Thank you again for being part of our Digital Dentistry Decoded community. 

We can't wait to embark on the next chapter of this digital dentistry journey with you in Season 2!

About the author 

Dr Ahmad Al-Hassiny

Dr Ahmad is a global leader in digital dentistry and intraoral scanners, 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 mainstream scanners 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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