Could 3D dentistry be heading to your local dentist?

The 3D printing phenomenon has taken the world by storm. It appears these days that you can 3D print anything... and you've guessed it, 3D printing has finally crept into the world of dentistry.Professor Andreas Herrmann's team of the University of Groningen in the Netherlands have dabbled into the world of 3D dentistry, developing 3D print teeth that also kill bacteria. This means you wouldn't have to worry about losing a teeth, asa dentist could just print you another! The material is an antimicrobial plastic which kills the bacteria responsible for tooth decay on contact. This means 3D printing could be about to change the face of dentistry altogether. Without decay and staining, 3D printed teeth would remain white and in excellent condition. While the thought of plastic in your mouth may not be the most desirable of options, Herrmann and his team reckon that this option is a great alternative to decaying teeth and toothache. No more toothache? We like the sound of that! Of course, 3D printed teeth would lead not only to better oral hygiene but save Britons heading out to their local dentist and shelling out thousands on dental care each year. Bacterial damage would be a thing of the past if we were to wave goodbye to implants and say hello to 3D printed teeth.This is all the more important when we consider how obsessed we've become with having the perfect smile. Herrmann's team have locked themselves away exploring and experimenting with more advanced materials, testing which to put in the 3D Printer. The team decided to add antimicrobial ammonium salts to existing dental resin poylmers to create the perfect material. Once hardened by ultraviolet light, this material can be used to print out 3D replacement teeth. The team tested how effective the substitute is by coating the material with human saliva and with tooth decay causing bacteria. The good news for the team was that it killed more than 99% of the bacteria, suggesting its harmless for human cells.

3D Dentistry - Coming to your Local Dentist?

Well that's all very well, we hear you say, but has anyone actually tried these 3D print teeth?Much further testing is required before these Dutch experts starting putting their substitutes into patients' mouths. The main concern? The samples were only left in the saliva and bacteria mix for six days. Herrmann notes that more tests needed to be done. How will the 3D plastic fare against toothpaste for example? How will the 3D printed teeth manage with saliva and bacteria for a period longer than a week? Although our Dutch friends acknowledge there is still a long way to go, they are thrilled with their breakthrough and it truly looks like they're on to something exciting.Our very own team of experts can't deny how exciting this prospect is and are keen to see just how 3D printing will truly affect the world of dentistry. With the announcement earlier this year of breakthrough technology that accelerates 3D printing speeds by a factor of up to 100, it's predicted that your local dentist will be able to print a tooth within 6.5 minutes. However, it looks as though Bamboo Dental won't be offering 3D printed teeth just yet! Watch this space though, as Dr. Dan and his award winning team will be sure to continue to be amongst the first to offer you the most innovate and high quality treatment as possible!

3D Printable Teeth

And if you can't wait that long, perhaps you can print your own! Believe it or not but a student in New Jersey made his own plastic braces using a 3D printer. The amazing thing is that the braces actually worked! Amos Dudley previously has braces in school, but as he didn't wear a retainer, his teeth slowly shifted back into their former position. Being a student, Dudley didn't want to pay out thousands once more for braces at his local dentist, so the I.T whizz kid made his own using a high quality 3D printer at his university. Of course, it's no easy task to do. Dudley put in many hours researching orthodontic procedures and planning the trajectory of his treatment, before printing the braces. With all this effort, he wasn't going to make the same mistake as last time! Within just four months, Dudley had the perfect smile. While we don't recommend you to try this at home (or your local university), we have to commend him for his efforts! If you're interested in straightening your teeth safely however, click here to find out more.

Bamboo Dental - Your Local Dentist in Cardiff

So there we have it. Exciting developments are certainly happening in the world of dentistry. 3D printing looks to change the face of dentistry as we know it. However, despite what you may read, a lot of 3D dentistry is still in experimental stages, despite significant progress. We expect it to be a good while yet before 3D dentistry becomes accessible to all. Until then, Bamboo Dental offers all the care and treatment you need. We offer a wide range of treatments including but not exclusive to teeth straightening, teeth whitening, six month smiles braces, adult braces, veneers, implants and snoring Treatment. Open 7 days a week, with affordable finance plans, a triple award winning team and free consultations, there are no reasons to print your own braces at home! If you're interested in any of our treatments, contact us by calling 02920 569769 or clicking here to reach us on our Contact Form.