Dentaltech Group, a leading Irish manufacturer of dentures, has unveiled new technology that will allow dentists to created 3D printed dental prosthetics within days.
The company's TRUEFIT by Dentaltech offering is suitable for people who require full dentures, have a gap in their smile, or need a removable tooth solution, and the product is made at it in-house clinical laboratory in Dublin, the largest facility for printed dentures outside the US and Canada.
TRUEFIT utilises advanced digital oral scanning and 3D design and printing to produce full and partial sets of dentures that are better fitting, more comfortable and more natural-looking, improving patients' ability to chew, eat, speak and socialise.
In addition to reducing the level of waste production in Dentaltech clinics, the new process takes a day, instead of up to four weeks, and requires just one appointment, eliminating the need for impression trays that have to set in the mouth for a significant amount of time.
The two-step process starts with the creation of a 3D image of the patient's moth using a wand-like tool connected to a computer. Dentaltech then use design and engineering software to design a denture that matches the patient's teeth and gums.
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The 3D image allows the patient to see how their smile will look with the denture, which is then produced with using a 3D printer and sustainable materials. The patient can also order a spare set quickly, but the company also offers repairs.
Bevin Mahon, co-owner and managing director of Dentaltech, said the move to 3D dentures was "a key priority" for the company as people are living longer and demand for removable dentures and teeth is growing.
"And, with 12% of 15–24-year-olds in Ireland missing teeth, 33% over 35 missing one or more teeth, 6% aged 24-75 missing all-natural teeth, and 42% aged 75+ missing all their teeth and wearing full dentures, there is a growing market for partial denture solutions," she continued.
"That’s why we see digital 3D printed prosthetics as the future of the dental industry and we’ve very proud to be the first in Ireland to have the training and the lab facilities to offer this full end-to-end service to all our patients in all our locations.
"Our focus is also on bringing our unique offering to the wider global market, starting with the UK and the US."
Enda McDonell, manager for Enterprise Ireland, added: “Enterprise Ireland is proud to back Bevin and the team at Dentaltech. It is an innovative, ambitious company that is leading the way in a very competitive market, both at home and abroad.
"The new TRUEFIT by Dentaltech product has the potential to deliver real patient benefits, while also assisting the business to operate in a more sustainable way. Dentaltech is just one example of great Irish-owned companies in the life sciences sector using innovation to compete and win internationally."
Dentaltech employs 35 people, including dental technicians, denturists, dentists and support staff, and all its dental professionals are registered with the Irish Dental Council. The company also handles denture cleaning, relining, and refitting.
Photo: Bevin Mahon. (Pic: Orla Murray/Coalesce)
