3D Systems is deeply committed to dental 3D printing. In fact, the company’s technology enables production of the largest number of orthodontic aligners in the world. But 3D Systems has a lot more to offer as LMT Lab Day kicks off in Chicago. Today the company unveils the new NextDent 5100, a high speed 3D printer powered by 3D Systems’ proprietary Figure 4 technology. With the 5100, dentists are able to address more indications with one solution for the first time.
An indication, in dentistry, is a condition that causes pain or discomfort and potentially endangers a patient’s health. If a patient has lost several teeth to gum disease, for example, it’s an indication for dentures or implants. With the NextDent 5100, dental labs and clinics can produce dental devices at up to four times faster than other solutions, while reducing material waste, capital equipment expenditure and reliance upon milling centers. This also benefits the patient, with less waiting time and fewer office visits required. In fact, with the NextDent 5100, dental labs can achieve a 70-80% decrease in the time it takes to produce dentures, while patients have to visit the dentist’s office only twice rather than four or five times.
The NextDent 5100 is compatible with industry standard, state of the art intra-oral scanning and software solutions, offering more precise results than conventional manual production techniques. The end-to-end digital workflow also provides higher, more predictable uptime, reducing risk for the operator.
NextDent Denture 3D+ is suitable for printing all types of removable denture bases and has significantly lower shrinkage versus standard PMMA denture base materials and is available in multiple colors.
3D Systems has also introduced 18 new NextDent resins, bringing the total number to 30, the highest number of any dental material supplier. They’re available in several different colors to be able to match the patient’s own teeth and gums, and are all biocompatible and CE-certified. The materials are certified in accordance with medical device directive 93/42/EEC, listed at the FDA and also registered in several other countries.
“We're bringing a complete digital dentistry solution to the market '“ combining an unmatched materials portfolio with leading 3D printing technology, software and services. We offer the industry's widest range of regulatory-approved 3D printing materials and technologies that allow dental labs and clinics of every size to drive precision, productivity, and efficiency at a reduced cost for a wide range of dental applications,” said 3D Systems President and CEO Vyomesh Joshi (VJ).
Currently the NextDent 5100 is in beta testing with select customers. Pre-orders will be taken in the second quarter and the 3D printer is expected to be generally available by summer of 2018. It will be priced below $10,000. So far, feedback from beta customers has been positive:
“The new NextDent 5100 fits the size and workflow of our lab perfectly,” said Esteban Ponce, President, Danso Dental Lab. “Through the choice of materials, quality, and speed of the system, we can reduce our reliance on milling centers for manufacturing and reduce our costs. When we worked with a milling center to produce models, each one cost us $30. By employing the NextDent 5100 solution and producing the same model in-house, we realized a 90% reduction in cost.”
“3D Systems' NextDent 5100 printer is an asset to improving the workflow in our full service laboratory,” added Kris Van Cleve, President, Dental Prosthetic Services. “The wide range of available materials, easy print set-up and quick print turn-around allows us to run multiple print cycles and materials throughout the day, which has dramatically improved productivity.”
“For us, 3D printing delivers freedom,” said Sebastiaan Cornelissen, CEO of Core3dcentres. “It's the freedom to produce any shape in significantly less time and at a much lower cost than was possible with milling. With 3D Systems' new NextDent solution which includes both the printer and materials, Core3dcentres Holland and Cordent will be able to improve productivity and patient care.”