When it comes to 3D printing, the sky is the limit. As 3D printing technology continues to advance, applications can be as far reaching as airplane and automobile parts to medical devices and even anatomically correct, biocompatible models. Although 3D printing technology is developing at a rapid pace, the technology itself is not new. It emerged in the 1980s as a means of creating rapid prototypes. In recent years the applications for 3D printed models have evolved with the available hardware, software, and printable materials. Evolving technology, paired with the creative and innovative minds of scientists, engineers, and physicians, has been the launching pad for developments within 3D printing technology specific to healthcare. One way 3D printing technology is poised to create better patient outcomes is in creating an anatomically and patient-specific models to aid in surgery and medical procedures. With the capability to 3D ...
An increasing number of plastics companies are looking to develop products for the dental market, according to European Plastics News. Specifically, two companies are making plastic materials for fabricating dentures and as a substitute for titanium in dental implants.
Dens3000, a firm based in Germany, manufacturers thermoplastic teeth for dentures. The teeth resemble natural human teeth because of layers of different hardness and color, including poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), resemble the core and enamel of a tooth. The Dens3000 teeth reportedly cost five to 10 times less than other teeth made by conventional thermosetting methods.
According to European Plastics News:
The original developer, medical physicist Dr. Reinhard Lohse, told European Plastics News: ‘I wanted to introduce a high-quality yet inexpensive plastic tooth onto the market and so make dentures that appeal to China and eastern European countries, where cost is an important issue.’
Aside from cost benefits, Lohse says the PMMA teeth “are also not prone to plaque or crack formation.”
Dens3000 is establishing a facility with the production capacity of 40 million teeth annually in China, which is scheduled to start operations in October.
Evonik is using medical-grade plastics such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK) as a part of dental implants. Marc Knebel, a medical implants sales and marketing manager at Evonik, told European Plastics News:
Since 1999 PEEK has become the most important substitute material for titanium in orthopaedic, cardiovascular and spinal implants, a trend partly driven by the material’s high resistance to gamma rays, transparency to x-rays and biocompatibility.
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