Thousands of patients across the UK are having their dental experience transformed thanks to the power of additive manufacturing.
SYS Systems is working with clinics and laboratories to install Stratasys’ J5 DentaJet printers to create removable dentures that deliver unrivalled aesthetic and functional results in half the production time of analogue methods.
The machines utilise patented TrueDent, a groundbreaking CE-marked resin that is extremely durable and, in a sector first, offers the ability to print multiple tooth and base shades simultaneously in a single full-colour, monolithic structure.
Some of the first TrueDent fittings in Europe took place thanks to a groundbreaking partnership between SYS Systems and Prime Dental Laboratory, the latter a specialist in removable prosthetics and implant-supported dentures.
The Ilkeston-based lab was one of the early adopters of the J5 DentaJet and the resin, and this has had a profound impact on both clinical outcomes and productivity.
Co-owner and Clinical Dental Technician Tim Jackson commented: “From the start of my career, I worked completely analogue, and I would set everything up by hand. In more recent years, we have invested heavily into the digital side of dentistry and have seen a big change, with dentists wanting to use it as well.
“Digital dentures have sometimes been a little brittle in the past—not this TrueDent material, which I believe is the best printer resin on the market, surpassing everything I could have imagined strength-wise, as well as aesthetics. For example, we’ve thrown it down the corridor and even stomped on it, and it’s unbreakable.”
He continued: “Speed has also been important. Creating using an analogue method, we found that 18 dentures would take us around 12 hours to make. Doing the same process digitally, we went down to about six hours, and—now we’ve got the J5 DentaJet—we can knock another hour off that just on post-processing those dentures as well.”
SYS Systems is the UK platinum partner of Stratasys and delivers a complete turnkey solution, including installation, service, maintenance, training, and technical support.
Experts from the Derby-based company have seen sales soar by 350% in the dental market over the last twelve months and are installing one J5 DentaJet every two weeks as more laboratories and clinics come around to its speed, functionality, and aesthetic performance.
The flexibility and power of the 3D printer give dental laboratories access to a solution to fit every need, whether that is monolithic dentures and temporaries or high-quality crown and bridge models.
One of Prime Dental’s closest collaborators is Zenith Dental Clinic, based in Nottingham. Principal Dentist Dr. Karan Maini was initially sceptical of digital methods but has now fully embraced the technology and wouldn’t go back.
“I had many reservations about digital dentistry in general. I was very much of the mindset that I wanted to do everything traditionally. I didn’t even use a scanner at all.
“After I tried a scanner for the first time, I thought, actually, that’s quite good. Then you try another time, and it starts to get really interesting. Before you know it, I’ve been introduced to TrueDent and Stratasys through SYS Systems, and here we are. Every denture I make is now a TrueDent denture.
“Digital adoption has had a big impact on our clients and our patients, with reduced chair time and patients being able to get their desired end result within a matter of days rather than weeks.”
Prime Dental’s Tim Jackson picked up the story: “There’s still a lot of negativity around digital dentures, especially in the industry. But we’re getting instant patient feedback in the clinics by fitting analogue dentures and then giving them a 3D printed set of dentures as a blind test. Every single time they’re saying the 3D printed dentures are the ones they prefer.
“They’re all coming back saying that ‘they’re smaller, they’re lighter.’ None of the dentures made are smaller—they’re either bigger or exactly the same size—but the fact they’re saying they’re lighter and feel more comfortable in their mouth is just a testament to the TrueDent material.”
He concluded: “In short, every denture lab should have a Stratasys J5 DentaJet—it’s more productive for our sector and, most importantly, it’s the best possible treatment for our patients.”
Part of the Carfulan Group, SYS Systems is located in a £2.5 million advanced Innovation Centre in Foston, near Derby.
It has been a UK platinum partner for Stratasys since 2012 and is currently the leading supplier of Stratasys dental 3D printers in Europe.
For further information, please visit www.sys-uk.com or follow the company across its social media channels.
Patient Case Study
Simon from Nottingham, a recent recipient of a TrueDent denture, had a mouth full of decay before embarking on his denture journey at Zenith. He described the life-changing impact of the treatment.
“My confidence had gone to the point that I’d start mumbling in sentences because I couldn’t speak properly. It was a nightmare. Also, I couldn’t eat certain things because I just couldn’t chew them.
“I needed to do something for my confidence and to get back out there after a very long time of not being out there. I had spent about a decade just avoiding people.
“The fact I’ve got 3D printed teeth now is incredible. It’s mind-blowing. It looks amazing.
“The fit of the TrueDent™ material is incredible. It just fits perfectly. It’s snug. It doesn’t feel like plastic in my face like previous dentures have done. They feel smaller, but I don’t think they are. I think they’re the same size.
“It is actually incredible. I feel like they’re my teeth, they look like my teeth, they look real. I’m just going to go straight out there and not be conscious or have to think about that at all.
“It’s a strange feeling, and I’m really excited about just going out and doing stuff. I couldn’t be happier—it’s amazing. It’s changed my life.”
