Aim: Commercially available 3D printers now enable cost-effective, time-efficient and highly precise production of models that can be used in a university environment for both teaching and research purposes. This opens up a wide range of possible applications. The following sections present some of the areas in which we are already working with 3D printed models.
Material and method:
The models were created using four different 3D printers.
1. Anycubic Photon Mono M5 (Hong Kong Anycubic Technology Co., Limited)
2. Formlabs Form 3 (Formlabs Inc.)
3. Bambu Lab P1S (Bambulab GmbH)
4. Stratasys Eden260VS (Stratasys Ltd.).
Results: A large proportion of the models used for preclinical student courses can now be printed. This means that the examination models for waxing work, functional trays for functional impressions on the phantom, and measuring models for wire clamp exercises can all be printed. The production of practice models and trays is a time- and cost-saving method of improving preclinical teaching. For the implant-prosthetic course modules, model inserts can be printed that simulate cancellous and compact bone. Furthermore, it is possible to print radiopaque models that can be used for X-rays. This enables realistic implant and endodontic exercises to be carried out for both research and teaching purposes, and then verified radiologically without exposing patients to radiation.
Summary: The use of 3D-printed models offers many possibilities for implementation in research and teaching. They offer some advantages over traditional plaster models. The necessary software and 3D printers can now be used without much prior knowledge and are relatively inexpensive to purchase.
Keywords: 3d printing, dental models, research and teaching
