Creating Instant Dental Crowns

In earlier times, when the patient was told that he/she is going to have dental crown, a long set of processes used to come to the mind. First the tooth is cut in the form of a stump and then the impression of that stump is taken. This impression is then sent to the laboratory where the positive replica of the tooth is formed. According to that replica the crown is fabricated. 

The patient is sent back with a temporary tooth. When the permanent crown is ready, the patient is called back and the permanent crown is cemented to the tooth.

But not now! In modern practices a 3D scanner scans the cut tooth and the visuals are fed in the displaying device. The dentist decides what material to be used upon looking at the visual. When the dentist is satisfied, he/she hits the print button. 

3D printers are of two types:

1. Additive
2. Subtractive

Additive printers start with nothing. The object is created layer by layer. The melt-able material is used to create crown. Subtractive printers start with a material block. All the extra material is removed with milling machine.

Then with the help of a computer aided design and computer aided milling, a new crown is formed almost instantly. The prepared crown is tried on the stump for the fit. With minor adjustments the crown is fitted comfortably. This crown is then cemented to the tooth in the same appointment. This is just an example of growing 3D technology touching our lives.