Dental 3D printers and 3D scanners

Digital dentistry is the practice of using computer technology to improve dental care. A digital dentistry workflow might involve 3D scanning a patient’s teeth, manipulating the scan data using CAD/CAM software, then using a digital fabrication tool like a 3D printer to make a patient-specific dental model, restoration, or appliance.

Dental 3D scanners can either scan within a patient’s mouth or scan a negative impression on a desktop, while dental 3D printers (and materials) can produce either end-use dental items or indirect patterns (that are subsequently used to make end-use items via thermoforming, casting, or other techniques).