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Tooth Splinting: Implementing a 3D-printed Guide with Pre-defined Composite Resin Reservoirs: A Digital Workflow.
P Ntovas1, N Gogolas2, G Gogolas3
1*Panagiotis Ntovas, DDS, MSc, scientific associate, Department of Operative Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian, University of Athens, Greece.
Operative Dentistry
|December 7, 2023
Summary
This study introduces a digital workflow for dental tooth splinting, utilizing intraoral scanning and 3D printing for precise wire customization. This innovative method enhances efficiency in creating custom dental splints.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Digital Health
- Biomaterials Engineering
Background:
- Digital technologies are transforming dental procedures, including tooth splinting.
- Traditional methods often require physical impressions and can be labor-intensive.
- Integrating virtual planning with advanced materials offers new possibilities for dental splint fabrication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel digital workflow for fabricating individualized tooth splints.
- To combine virtual treatment planning with 3D printing for enhanced precision.
- To explore the use of commercially available splinting materials within a digital framework.
Main Methods:
- Utilized intraoral scanners to capture dental arches and occlusion digitally.
- Designed a virtual splint template based on digital models.
- 3D-printed the template to guide the customization of a twisted wire.
- Employed a 3D-printed template with resin reservoirs for bonding the splint.
Main Results:
- Successfully created a digital workflow for tooth splint fabrication.
- Demonstrated the use of 3D-printed templates for precise wire adaptation and bonding.
- Highlighted the integration of virtual design with physical fabrication steps.
Conclusions:
- Digital technology enables efficient and precise fabrication of custom tooth splints.
- The presented workflow offers an alternative to traditional splinting techniques.
- Further development is needed to expand digital fabrication options for various splinting materials.
