Case Presentation: Creating a Better Patient Experience with 3D Printing

Author
8/20/2020

CASE PRESENTATION

Creating a Better Patient Experience with 3D Printing

For the past few years, I’ve maintained a startup fee-for-service practice outside Los Angeles, CA, focused on restorative dentistry. While we are not volume-based, even within our sample size, we have been seeing an increased number of patients with cracked teeth and some kind of bruxism or TMJ issue. I believe this is attributed to the added stressors and challenges people are facing during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, which makes it all the more important to get every one of these patients treated with a nightguard—without time or finances becoming a huge barrier.

By 3D printing these appliances with SprintRay Pro, I’m able to control more of this process and bring this service in-house, which not only cuts down on cost and lab fees, but shortens the delivery of the nightguard from about 2 weeks to just 24 hours. This has been super helpful for our patients, especially those who may have recently lost their jobs due to the virus.

Below is just one example of how 3D printing with SprintRay allows me to deliver a simple and cost-effective solution to my patients in need.

Case in Point

The patient presented with a chief complaint of tightness of the masseters and discomfort attributed to parafunctional bruxism occurring at night. The treatment recommended was a flat plane occlusal splint with even contacts. Using a digital impression system (TRIOS, 3Shape), we scanned the patient and sent the STL file to our digital designer, who then designed the printable occlusal guard (Splint Studio, 3Shape).

Once the design file was ready, we printed the occlusal guard on the SprintRay Pro using a clear, biocompatible resin material (KeySplint Soft Clear, Keystone Industries). After post-processing with a 91% isopropyl alcohol wash in an ultrasonic bath, we cured the splints for the recommended 45 minutes at 50° C with an automated, 90-watt curing unit (Pro Cure, SprintRay). Post-curing polishing took about 5 minutes, after which the occlusal guard was immediately ready for delivery to the patient. We checked contacts and occlusion chairside, and then the patient had a new nightguard in hand.

The Convenience Factor

While saving money on both sides of the chair is an obvious plus, this case illustrates how a technology like 3D printing is more than just a cost-saver. The real benefit is how the technology allows me to provide treatment almost immediately. For example, if an appliance breaks, I can print a replacement for the patient that same afternoon. Using a 3D printer helps me create an incredible experience for every single one of my patients.

One thing I love about SprintRay is that the folks there are passionate about automating as much of the printing process as possible for clinicians. They continue to push out more and more updates to both the printer and its software to accomplish this, which makes me confident I’m offering the fastest and most convenient experience to my patients. So, while all the magic and automation are happening behind the scenes, for my own workflow, it is as simple as taking a scan, adding a prescription, and sending it off to print.

figure 1 sprintray pro Figure 2 sprintray pro

Figures 1 & 2 - View of the patient's upper and lower occlusal guard in the 3D printing software (RayWare, SprintRay) after being digitally designed

splints on platform during 3D printingsplints on platform after 3d printing

Figures 3 & 4 - Splints on the platform during 3D printing (SprintRay Pro, SprintRay)

individual splints from 3D printersplints after post-processing in ultrasonic bath

Figures 5 & 6 - Individual splints after post-processing in an ultrasonic bath, curing with an automatic curing unit (ProCure, SprintRay), and polishing

Go-To Products Used in this Case

sprintray proSPRINTRAY PRO

A user-friendly, powerful, and reliable desktop 3D printer, the SprintRay Pro allows clinicians to make their own aligners, surgical guides, digital dentures, occlusal guards, and other appliances in-house, with the ability to print up to 30 full-arch dental models in a single batch. A custom 7-inch touchscreen manages prints and provides access to network settings. Intraoral scans can be easily opened and repaired in SprintRay’s RayWare software, which also delivers over-the-air updates to keep practices current with the latest features.

Lawrence Fung, DDS

Lawrence Fung, DDSDr. Fung graduated from the University of Southern California with a BS in Dental Hygiene in 2007 and went on to earn his dental degree at USC’s Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry in 2011. After completing dental school, Dr. Fung left Southern California to serve 4 years with the United States Navy, including 2 years overseas in Japan. Inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit of Silicon Beach companies and startups, he decided to open his own dental practice, Silicon Beach Dental, nearly 4 years ago with a mission of thinking differently and challenging the status quo. In his spare time, Dr. Fung is a clinical instructor at the Center for Esthetic Dentistry at UCLA and is the current team dentist for USC Athletics

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