The New Technology Of 3D Printing And... The Dentist?

If you've been to the dentist to receive a crown on your teeth during your life, you probably aren't too fond of the process. The traditional process involves two trips to the dentist's office-- the first so the dentist can fully inspect and prepare the tooth (as well as get an impression so the forthcoming crown will fit properly), and the second visit to actually cement the new crown in place in your mouth. In a seemingly separate world entirely, researchers have begin discovering many uses for a new process called 3D printing, which is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: printing objects not on a page, but in three dimensional form. As scientists have continued to work with the 3D printing process, they have discovered new potential that is proving to cut down on the time and stress of the process of getting a dental crown:

One Convenient Stop

For those with busy lives, trying to find a good time to head to the dentist in the midst of work, kid's activities, and the little bit of sleep you do have can be rough. For many, having to schedule not one but two appointments to complete the crowning process can be next to impossible.

To make things easier all around, researchers have discovered a way to use 3D printing to reduce the time of the process significantly-- from several hours per appointment to just two hours for the entire completed process! By cutting out the gag reflex-inducing impressions and creating your new crown moments after the appointment begins, you'll be walking out the door in no time.

Dentistry of the Future

The method involved in the 3D printing version of the procedure is simple-- so simple, in fact, that it almost seems to be the impossible stuff of a science fiction novel. After showing up for your appointment, your dentist will scan your tooth digitally, sending the information to the 3D printer and saving you the mess and stress of the former impression process.

Once the printer receives all of your information, it begins printing a copy of your new crown immediately. After printing has completed, the dentist can install the the freshly printed crown onto your tooth! Although the process is significantly shorter than its predecessor, there is no quality lost in the midst-- making certain that your oral health is still the top priority in this busy world.

Ask a dentist like Pacific Ave Dental/Allan L. Hablutzel, DDS if they can offer this to you.