Revolutionizing Dentistry: The Rise of 3D Printed Dental Crowns

3D printing of dental crowns has a good chance of being the future of dental care. Are we there yet though?

What Are 3D Printed Dental Crowns?

Dental crowns are a common restorative solution we use to cover damaged teeth, restore their function, and improve their appearance. Traditionally, creating a dental crown involves taking molds, sending them to a lab, and waiting for the crown to be fabricated and returned. This process takes weeks, leaving patients with temporary crowns that are worse in every way. These temps do not fit as well and because we wish to remove them soon, the cement is not as strong. Enter 3D printing technology. With the advent of 3D printed dental crowns, the entire process can be much quicker. Instead of relying on external labs, we can create custom crowns in our office within hours. Using a digital scan of the patient’s teeth, a 3D printer can precisely fabricate a crown that fits perfectly, is aesthetically pleasing, and we can place in the same visit.

What materials can we 3D print a crown in?

Several companies have FDA approval for 3D printing dental crowns. The ADA has made some minor changes to the dental codes so that the material we use in printing is consistent with the vocabulary of the dental codes. Sprintray has Pro 55 in Saremco Crowntec resin and they make Bego crowns. Finishing a 3D printed crown requires various alcohol wash steps and final curing and polishing.

The Benefits of 3D Printed Dental Crowns

1. Speed and Efficiency

Time is a critical factor in dental care, both for practitioners and patients. The traditional method of getting a crown could take weeks, but with 3D printing, we can complete the process within a single appointment. This reduction in time not only enhances the patient experience but also allows dental practices to operate more efficiently.

2. Cost-Effectiveness

While the initial investment in 3D printing technology can be significant for dental practices, the long-term savings are substantial.

The Future of Printed Crowns

As 3D printing technology continues to advance, its applications in dentistry will likely expand even further. The materials used in 3D printed dental crowns are also evolving, with research focused on making them even more durable and biocompatible. In the future, we may see even faster production times, more affordable options, and crowns that we can customize to an even greater degree. As of 2025 however, printing is still not ready to take on milling. Mosaddad JPD 2025 shows that trueness and marginal fit are still inferior to milling.

Conclusion

3D printing represents a significant leap forward in dental technology. It offers precision, speed, and customization that traditional methods simply cannot match. As this technology becomes more widespread, it will continue to shape the future of dentistry, providing patients with better, faster, and more affordable care.