3D Systems (NYSE: DDD), unveiled additions to its dental 3D printing product line, the NextDent 5100 and 18 new NextDent resins — bringing the entire NextDent portfolio to 30 materials. These latest additions to the company’s 3D digital dentistry portfolio enable improvements in patient care.
By incorporating the NextDent 5100 into their workflow, dental laboratories and clinics can address more indications with one system. In the dental industry, indications are conditions that cause pain or discomfort and potentially endanger a patient’s life or health. For example, if a person has advanced gum disease and has lost several teeth, this would be an indication for dental implants or perhaps dentures depending on the severity of the disease.
With 3D Systems’ NextDent solution, dental laboratories and clinics can produce dental devices faster – up to 4x faster in many cases – while reducing material waste and capital equipment expenditure as well as reliance upon milling centers. Benefits also extend to the patient by reducing the time it takes to produce prosthodontics and orthodontics, as well as the number of required office visits. For example, by using the NextDent 5100 system, dental labs can achieve a 70% – 80% decrease in the amount of time needed to produce dentures. Additionally, patients will likely need to visit the dentist only twice, versus the four to five visits currently needed.
Production of prosthodontic and orthodontic devices with traditional manual methods is labor intensive, and vulnerable to human error. Referencing denture production as an example, there are roughly 14 hours of work in the lab required from casting of the first impression of a patient’s mouth to delivery of the final denture. Additionally, models need to be shipped back and forth between the lab and the dentist’s office where the patient will make an average of five visits to be fitted for the device. The process also results in significant material waste in the form of plaster and wax that is used in all iterations of the models working toward creation of the final product.
The NextDent 5100, which is powered by 3D Systems’ Figure 4 technology, facilitates high-speed dental 3D printing of dental devices and fixtures. The printer is compatible with industry-standard state-of-the-art intra-oral scanning and software solutions, delivering more precise results than conventional manual production techniques. This end-to-end digital dental 3D printing workflow also provides higher and more predictable uptime, with a significant reduction in risk for the operator.
The NextDent 5100 system includes a portfolio of 30 unique NextDent resins. Offered in a variety of aesthetic colors, these materials enable dental labs and clinics to provide finished products that closely match the patient’s own teeth and gums. All NextDent dental 3D printing materials are biocompatible and CE-certified. The materials are certified in accordance with medical device directive 93/42/EEC, listed at the FDA and also registered in various other countries.
The NextDent 5100 solution is currently in beta testing with select customers and will be priced below $10,000 (US)/€10.000 (EU Countries). The company plans to take pre-orders in the second quarter and general availability is planned for Summer of 2018.
3D Systems’ dental 3D printing dentistry portfolio also includes the FabPro 1000.
The company previously announced this printer to address jewelry and engineering applications, and has expanded its capabilities to address dental indications. Engineered for precision, accuracy, efficiency, and repeatable results, the easy-to-use FabPro 1000 is a low-cost entry point for customers who are new to the dental 3D printing market, or who may produce lower volumes. 3D Systems’ 3D Sprint software is bundled with the FabPro 1000 to facilitate preparation and optimization of CAD data, and management of the additive manufacturing process. The company is optimizing the FabPro 1000 desktop printer for compatibility with select NextDent biocompatible materials for specific dental applications, starting with surgical guides and orthodontic and denture models. With a price below $5,000 (US)/€5.000 (EU Countries), pre-orders can be placed, and general availability of the printer is planned for Spring 2018. Dental materials will be available Summer 2018.
Customer testimonials:
“The new NextDent 5100 fits the size and workflow of our lab perfectly,” said Esteban Ponce, president, Danso Dental Lab (San Diego, CA). “Through the choice of materials, quality, and speed of the system, we can reduce our reliance on milling centers for manufacturing and reduce our costs. When we worked with a milling center to produce models, each one cost us $30. By employing the NextDent 5100 solution and producing the same model in-house, we realized a 90% reduction in cost.”
“3D Systems’ NextDent 5100 printer is an asset to improving the workflow in our full service laboratory,” said Kris Van Cleve, president, Dental Prosthetic Services (Cedar Rapids, IA). “The wide range of available materials, easy print set-up and quick print turn-around allows us to run multiple print cycles and materials throughout the day, which has dramatically improved productivity.”
“For us, 3D printing delivers freedom,” said Sebastiaan Cornelissen, chief executive officer, Core3dcentres (Holland & Cordent, The Netherlands). “It’s the freedom to produce any shape in significantly less time and at a much lower cost than was possible with milling. With 3D Systems’ new NextDent solution which includes both the printer and materials, Core3dcentres Holland and Cordent will be able to improve productivity and patient care.”
3D Systems
www.3dsystems.com
