How Dentistry Benefits from 3D Printing

Introduction to 3D Printing in Dentistry

For more than 10 years, dentists, dental technicians, and assistants have utilized additive manufacturing such as SLA and Material Jetting to deliver customized dental appliances in a more accurate, cost-effective, and time-efficient manner. This includes 3D printing custom-made aligners, implants, and crowns, as well as surgical guides.

3D printing technologies offer endless possibilities for clinicians working in dentistry, with ongoing upgrades, high-quality materials, and personalized solutions tailored to each patient.

Getting Started with JLC3DP

Whether you’re an established clinic or just beginning to explore digital dentistry, JLC3DP offers fast, precise SLA resin printing services. Upload your files to get an instant quote and experience high-quality 3D printing tailored to your needs.

Key Applications of 3D printing in the dental industry

There are countless ways to use additive manufacturing in the medical field, particularly in dental clinics. The most common applications include dental prostheses, aligners, and surgical guides. But what exactly are these appliances, and how can they be produced using a 3D printer? Here’s a brief explanation.

Customized Dental Implants and Crowns

Technicians use intraoral scans to create STL files that drive the 3D printing of implant abutments from biocompatible materials like titanium. These components provide support for crowns and bridges. Technologies like SLM (Selective Laser Melting) enable fast, affordable production of unique metal parts.

The high precision ensures a perfect fit for the patient’s anatomy, leading to improved implant placement and better clinical outcomes.

Surgical Guides

As the name implies, surgical guides are essential tools during surgical procedures for improving accuracy during implant placements, jaw surgeries, or any other complex treatment. Precise, 3D-printed drilling and cutting guides are produced by using specific patient data to improve the process. Most of the time, SLA technology is the best way to produce unique surgical guides, using biocompatible resin during the printing process.

Invisible Aligners

3D printing has revolutionized orthodontics. Aligners are based on digital scans and printed from clear resin by SLA or BJ technologies to create a discreet and convenient solution for patients, replacing traditional braces.

Digital Dentures

With the help of scans, there is a more comfortable way to create dentures digitally, then 3D-print them. It means a faster turnaround and a more efficient alternative compared to self-cured dentures. Digital wax-ups also enhance communication between dental labs and clinicians by offering better visualization.

Tissue Augmentation

An emerging field in dental care is bone augmentation, where 3D printing can be used to support patients with insufficient bone. They can infuse 3D-printed polymers with stem cells, then place them into the right location to encourage bone generation. This supports the healing of periodontal tissue and bone formation.

Common 3D Printing Technologies Used in Dentistry

The most common 3D printing technologies in dentistry are Stereolithography(SLA ), Material Jetting (MJ), and Digital Light Processing (DLP). Different 3D printing technologies bring unique strengths to dental applications. Selecting the right one depends on the required precision, material compatibility, and intended use.

Stereolithography(SLA )

SLA, the most widely utilized and oldest 3D printing technique in dentistry, works by using an ultraviolet (UV) laser to cure liquid photopolymer resin layer by layer. Once a single layer is cured, the building platform lowers, and the process continues until the object is fully formed and gently removed from the platform.

(source: Proto3000 Dental)

Material Jetting (MJ)

The functions of Material Jetting (MJ) are similar to an inkjet printer. The print head moves across the building platform, jetting out tiny droplets of resin onto the platform. The ultraviolet (UV) light cures the droplets within the same movement instantly, while the building platform moves down after every single layer, to continue with the next one.

Digital Light Processing (DLP)

DLP cures resin with a projected light source, delivering speed and high resolution, especially useful for chairside production. Because the entire layer is exposed at once, DLP systems offer faster print times. This makes DLP particularly effective for producing temporary crowns, models, and splints within a single appointment, improving clinical workflow and patient satisfaction.

Real-World Impact: How Clinics Use 3D Printing

Case Study 1 – SLA Crowns in Germany

A dental clinic in Munich integrated SLA 3D printing with intraoral scanning to streamline their crown fabrication workflow. Traditionally, creating a crown involved taking physical impressions, sending them to a lab, and waiting up to a week for delivery. With SLA printing, the clinic reduced turnaround time by 60%, enabling same-day delivery for single-tooth restorations. The high resolution of SLA printers ensured tight-fitting crowns with minimal need for adjustments, enhancing both patient satisfaction and clinic throughput.

Case Study 2 – MJ Aligners in the USA

An orthodontic center in California adopted Material Jetting technology to scale up production of custom aligners. The clinic treats over 200 patients monthly and needed a solution that could keep pace with demand while maintaining accuracy. Using MJ printers, the team prints dental molds in batches overnight with multi-material support, optimizing both throughput and precision. This transition reduced manual labor, minimized human error, and cut aligner production costs by nearly 40%, enabling more affordable and accessible treatment options for patients.

Advantages and Recent Developments in Dental 3D Printing

Compared to conventional methods, 3D printing in dentistry helps to reduce cost and streamline workflows while producing highly detailed appliances. Whether through an in-house system or outsourcing, clinics can save time and resources with additive manufacturing.  

Biocompatible materials: Certified, biocompatible resins and metals, specifically designed for dental applications, are constantly improving to support dental 3D printing. These materials offer excellent properties for producing safe, durable prostheses.

Integrated workflow: Optimal results come from combining tools like intraoral scanners, CAD software, and 3D printers into a single digital workflow.  

Chairside 3D printing: Many clinics have already invested in a desktop 3D printer to bring all their processes under one roof. This approach reduces wait times and enables same-day production.

(source: Proto3000 Dental)

Although if your clinic is not there yet to invest into a new system and you prefer to outsource the projects first, give it a try, and order your first print from JLC3DP!

Conclusion

3D printing in dentistry is no longer optional—it’s essential. With technologies like SLA and MJ, dental professionals can deliver faster, better, and more personalized care. As materials and workflows continue to evolve, the future of dental care will only become more digital, efficient, and patient-centered.