Stratasys Ltd. has launched another dental 3D printer that combines PolyJet’s realism and precision. Named J5 DentaJet™, the multi-material machine would enable technicians to load mixed trays of dental parts.
Fast production pace for dental labs
According to Stratasys estimates, the total addressable segment for dental 3D printing is about $1 billion.
The 3D printer manufacturer promises fast production pace, multi-material capabilities and the ability to produce high volumes of realistic, highly accurate models in a single machine.
Taking the example of an implant that is made up of top and bottom rigid opaque model, a soft gingiva mask, and a biocompatible surgical guide, Stratasys explains that it usually requires 3 different materials for such a production which lead technicians to utilize several 3D printers or wait for one print to be finished before starting another batch.
The J5 DentaJet removes this constraint as it can manage up to five PolyJet materials including support material. This means, dentists can seat crowns and bridges in minutes due to the accuracy of the models – to 18.75 microns, or less than half the width of a human hair.
Biocompatible resins that are currently available include a clear resin, VeroGlaze opaque white for temporary in-mouth placement, and a clear and flexible resin. In addition, Separator digital material automatically coats models to make it much easier to separate the acrylic device from the model and remove wax and residue. Other available resins include VeroDent PureWhite, and CMY resins for color.
“Dental and orthodontic models have been growing their adoption of 3D printing but the process has remained too manual and time consuming,” said Stratasys’ Healthcare Vice President Osnat Philipp. “The J5 DentaJet advances the full digital transformation of dental modeling with the potent combination of automation with accuracy. The system runs largely unattended, and you can even produce a build tray with a wide variety of different models using several different materials. It’s a productivity monster.”
Among the beta customers that already test the new machine, one finds NEO Lab, a family-owned orthodontic lab in Andover, Massachusetts. The dental lab usually provides 3,000 orthodontic and dental clinics across the country with its dental solutions.
According to the CEO and Co-Owner Christian Saurman, they were interested in using the system to get a better-quality finish, but it’s also helped them efficiently handle large part volumes. “We produce 600 orthodontic appliances every day,” he said. “The DentaJet 3D printer is easy to use, can produce a lot of models in a single print, and we don’t spend much time post-processing the models after they come out of the machine. Our models go from printer to production floor faster than ever.”
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