From 3D imaging to 3D printing in dentistry - a practical guide

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Medical Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• 3D imaging is crucial for dental diagnostics and treatment planning.
• Haptic feedback from 3D models offers new avenues for patient communication, training, and planning.
• Current methods may lack accessibility for widespread in-house adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a practical, step-by-step guide for 3D printing in dentistry.
• To demonstrate the use of low-cost printers and open-source software for creating patient-specific 3D models.
• To highlight the benefits of in-house 3D printing for clinical applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 3D Slicer software for image processing.
• Employed a Meshmixer 3D printer and its associated software.
• Demonstrated rapid prototyping techniques including Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Stereolithography (SLA).

Main Results:

• Successfully generated patient-specific 3D models from 3D imaging data.
• Illustrated the process using a case example of a patient with Saethre-Chotzen syndrome undergoing maxillofacial surgery.
• Provided a reproducible protocol for in-house 3D model fabrication.

Conclusions:

• Clinicians can produce patient-specific 3D models in-house using affordable technology.
• 3D printing facilitates prefabrication of surgical tools like osteosynthesis plates.
• This approach enhances dentist-patient communication and surgical planning through tangible models.