3D technology is transforming the daily routine of the dental hygienist. It enables the fabrication of custom whitening trays and orthodontic guides using intraoral scanners, eliminating the messy traditional impression trays. The result is less chair time and greater precision in adjustments.
Digital workflow: from scanner to printer 🖨️
The process begins with an intraoral scanner like the iTero Element or 3Shape TRIOS, which captures the dental arch in minutes. The STL file is processed in software such as Meshmixer or Blender to design the tray. Then, a resin printer like the Formlabs Form 3B or SprintRay Pro prints the model in a few hours. The hygienist only needs to polish and deliver.
Goodbye, silicone trays: the controlled drool revolution 😂
Before, the patient went home with a tray full of silicone that looked like a failed cooking experiment. Now, with 3D printing, you hand them a transparent tray that is barely noticeable. The downside is that the patient no longer has an excuse to complain about the plastic taste; now they can only complain that you didn't listen when they asked for the rainbow color.