When 3-D printing first started receiving mainstream publicity a few years ago, the reaction was similar among most folks: "Cool … but for what can it really be used?" One area where the technology is taking off is at dental offices around the country, a place with which most folks are familiar.

One of the products gaining popularity among dentists is the Planmeca Plan­Scan Restorative System by E4D Technologies, distributed exclusively in the U.S. by health care product specialist Henry Schein Inc., a Fortune 500 company. Using Plan­Scan technology, dentists can, for example, design and "print" crowns, implants, bridges and other so-called fixed prostheses.

3-D printing is actually a colloquialism for a process more formally known as additive manufacturing. From a patient’s perspective, the technology dramatically reduces the turnaround time required.

Under the established, low-tech process, the dentist manually takes measurements, creates a mold and then relies upon a third-party, off-site lab to finish the product. The patient then has to return for a second appointment to have the prosthesis applied. This method can take a week or two.

Using a system like Plan­Scan, dentists or even staff members use digital scanners to take measurements of the patient’s particulars. The design of the prosthesis is then done on a computer, much like drawing a picture. After the design is complete, the unit is "printed" on a mill, using any one of a number of porcelain or other material blocks, and then applied to the patient in a single visit. No temporary prostheses are used, and the patient is normally numbed only once. Total turnaround time: a couple of hours.

While the per-unit cost of printing a fixed prosthesis is significantly lower, the cost of the system must of course be factored into the equation.

While such systems are not cheap by any means, costs should go down over time like any other technology. Suffice it to say that dentists aren’t investing in such technology solely for the almighty dollar. In addition to improving the patient experience, doctors and practitioners seem to thoroughly enjoy the process.

According to Beverly Hills celebrity dentist Dr. Sam Saleh, the design process is fun and allows him to apply his creative talents in addition to his dentistry skills. A self-described technology aficionado, Saleh has been using the product for several years now, and his patients love it, especially the turnaround time.

But it’s not just for the rich and famous. Dr. Blake Matsu­ura, a dentist based in Aiea, also uses the system in a practice that’s been around for nearly 30 years.

Matsu­ura says that even older dentists have found the product easy to learn and use, and patient reception has been overwhelmingly positive, even among longtime patients of the practice started by his father and a partner. Matsu­ura and his team members also consider the design process to be fun.

Both Saleh and Matsu­ura believe the technology is mature and extremely safe. They have experienced little to no technical problems, and support from the vendor is more than adequate. In Matsu­ura’s opinion this technology will one day be the standard of care.

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John Agsalud is co-founder and senior partner of Inclusive­-Tech, a Los Angeles-based IT managed service provider, with specialization in systems integration and software development. He can be reached at jagsalud@in­clusive­tech.net.