Carbon, a California-based 3D printer and materials manufacturer, has partnered with Dentsply Sirona, a Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of dental equipment, to produce novel denture materials.
Such materials will be processed using Carbon’s Digital Light Synthesis technology to create high-quality 3D printed dentures.
“We’re very excited to team with Carbon to deliver a total seamless workflow for increasing laboratory efficiency and elevate state-of-art materials for removable appliance fabrication in the 3D dental printing space,” said Julie Mroziak, Vice President of the Global Lab Portfolio, Dentsply Sirona.
Accelerating 3D printing in the dental market
With over 100 years of experience in the dental market, Dentsply Sirona has developed a wide range of dental equipment including mouth guards, retainers, orthodontic implants, and denture liners.
The company also has expertise in scanning and CAD/CAM software and is a partner of the new Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Center for Additive and Digital Advanced Production Technologies (ADAPT).
Through this collaboration, Dentsply Sirona will leverage DLS technology to develop materials with improved strength, aesthetics, and laboratory efficiencies for 3D printed dentures.
Digital Light Synthesis and the medical sector
DLS technology uses light and oxygen to rapidly produce high-quality, end-use products from a pool of resin, an alternative method to stereolithography (SLA). This process works in tandem with Carbon’s high-performance materials and is enabled by continuous liquid interface production (CLIP), a photomechanical process with a liquid interface of uncured resin and a passing light source.
Several institutions are exploring DLS and its capability to produce medical and dental devices. Earlier this month, Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and the Applied Medical Device Institute (aMDI) in Michigan received $500,000 to create production-grade medical parts with the Carbon M2 3D printer. Furthermore, Carbon recently introduced its first medical-grade material: Medical Polyurethane 100 (MPU 100).
Digital denture solutions
Brian Ganey, General Manager of Carbon’s Dental Business commented on the recent collaboration with Dentsply Sirona, “This partnership with Dentsply Sirona is a testament to Carbon’s global vision and mission to enhance the digital ecosystem. Together, we will be able to offer the marketplace a complete digital denture solution that is superior in terms of strength and aesthetics.”
“With Carbon as the leading digital manufacturer in digital dentistry and Dentsply Sirona’s global leadership in removable appliances, we can deliver an unmatched offering that benefits both the dental laboratory and the patient.”
The Dentsply Sirona denture materials for Carbon digital manufacturing solutions will be available in the U.S. later this year.
It’s not too late to nominate for the upcoming 3D Printing Industry Awards 2019.
Want the latest medical and dental 3D printing news? Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Looking for a fresh start this year? Visit 3D Printing Jobs to commence your career in additive manufacturing.
Featured image shows a 3D printed dental impression. Photo via Carbon.
