How 3D printing is helping the growth of the Canadian Dental industry
The dental industry is the oldest among medical professions and dates back to 7000BC. In terms of the oral health of her citizens, Canada is a global leader with over 74% of the Canadians having visited a dental professional in the preceding year and your Etobicoke Dentist can vouch for this. On that note let us explore the current trends in the Canadian dental industry.
3D printing comes as a huge blessing for the Canadian dental industry
Although 3D printing has been in vogue for many years, it has been beneficially adopted by the dental industry only in recent times. 3D resin printing is among the biggest new trends that will flow into the coming years. 3D printing allows Dentists in Etobicoke and other places to offer customized dental solutions for patients. Previously, 3D printing was employed only for the creation of orthodontic devices. Presently it is helpful for a variety of dental needs including dental implants, teeth whitening, and more. 3D printing comes in handy for dental issues like teeth grinding Invisalign aligners etc., too. 3D printing has become an important component in dental care and has varied applications in dental and medical fields. Though this is by far a latent technology, it can soon displace the traditional laboratories that your Etobicoke dentist and others relied upon till recently.
Growth of 3D Printing in Dentistry
Globally, 3D printing for dental applications is valued at about &780 million and is slated to grow to $4.0 billion in 2022 and grow further in the coming years. Advanced 3D printers and related materials are already introduced in the market, particularly for dentists. The sale of such advanced systems is expected to grow to about $5 million in 2022 and 3D printing technology is slated to provide about 60% of market needs by 2025.
Role of 3D printing for dentistry
Following are some of the typical applications of 3D printing in the dental industry:-
Your Etobicoke dentist can use 3D printing for repairing or replacing a damaged tooth. Your dentist initially scans your mouth with the help of a digital wand to create an image of the gums and teeth. The resulting image is then saved in a computer file for the dentist to design your tooth digitally with the help of CAD software for repairing and printing the final product using a 3D printer.
Produce bridges, crowns, caps, dentures, etc.
3D printing also helps your dentist in Etobicoke to produce crowns, caps, bridges crowns, etc. He/she will follow the same procedure explained above for varying dental solutions. The precise material employed in the printing process however will vary with the purpose of dental concern you have.
Constructing surgical tools
3D printing also comes in handy for dental implants and print drill guides necessary to complete some of the dental procedures.
How 3D printing benefits the Dental industry
For producing bridges, crowns, and other implants, the dental industry has depended on laboratories for long and the shift to 3D printing benefits the industry in several ways including:-
Saves money for dentists
Establishing a dental laboratory calls for significant investment and can cost upwards of $100,000 every year, apart from the cost of employing skilled staff and ongoing investment. Compared to this a top-of-the-line 3D printer comes at about $20,000 and that includes the cost of materials to start with. The printer cost also factors in the lifetime cost of materials need and pegs far below the cost of setting up a dental lab.
Patients also save money
The high cost of establishing a dental lab is naturally reflected in the patient’s bill. When traditional technologies are used, a single crown can cost $2,000 or more for the patient. But, with 3D printing, the overhead costs drop by nearly 80%, and your Etobicoke dentist can pass on a chunk of this savings to the patient.
Conclusion
Technological advances are changing the way we do many things. 3D printing was introduced to the dental industry in the late 1980s and over the last 4 decades has revolutionized dental care across the board making dental care more affordable, less painful, and quicker too.