Imagine having teeth like these printed while you wait… thanks to Object Geometries Ltd., that might not be such a futuristic idea.
Gone are the days of gooey molds and three week waiting periods. Always at the forefront of cleantech innovation, Israel takes digital dentistry one step further. Using their 3D printing technology Objet Eden260V, Objet Geometries Ltd. can print veneers, orthodontic appliances, and even denture try-ins while you wait. Eliminating human error (and jobs?), this fascinating new technology was recently exhibited at a digital dentistry conference in Germany.“Objet 3D printing solutions provide dentists with a high level of precision that is difficult to achieve using traditional freehand dental techniques,” states Avi Cohen, Head of Medical Solutions at Objet. “The ability to perfectly reproduce smooth, finely detailed dental parts in real life, direct from CAD design imagery, represents a significant leap towards the age of full digital dentistry.”
According to Avi Cohen, Objet technology can reduce the fabrication times of parts and models substantially and output per technician can be dramatically increased.
A fast growing number of dental laboratories, including companies such as OPT Clearstep, Glidewell, Albensi Dental, iDent and Remedent, are using the industry-proven technology to fabricate unique stone models, orthodontic appliances, delivery and positioning trays, veneer try-ins, full and partial denture try-ins, surgical guides, clear aligners and retainers.
Avi Cohen lays out the benefits of digital dentistry:
Production times are significantly reduced and bottlenecks are a thing of the past as multiple, unique parts are built in single print runs. The precision and accuracy of Objet printed parts will not be beaten and, perhaps more importantly, they’re consistent – the potential for human error is removed from the process.” Even the patient experience can be dramatically improved by eliminating the dependence on physical impressions, which can be both uncomfortable and inconvenient.
To begin with, striking a balance between cost and innovation will be tricky, but pretty soon, we’ll be printing our own teeth at home.
More on Israeli Cleantech innovations:
Massachusetts Governor Firms Up Ties With Israel’s Cleantech Innovators
Israel Cleantech Ventures Raise $100 Million For Energy
image via Pink Sherbet Photography
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
