Dental implants from a 3D printer — Polish scientists one step away from a breakthrough in dentistry

What is 3D printing?

Let's start at the beginning, for all those who may not have dealt with 3D printing yet. The 3D printer works on the principle of additive manufacturing, which means that it creates objects by applying successive layers of material. This process is controlled by a computer and is based on a digital 3D model. The first step is to prepare a 3D model, which is created in CAD (Computer-Aided Design) or downloaded from the Internet. The model is then converted into a format that can be understood by a 3D printer, most often STL (Stereolithography), after which it is divided into layers in a process called slicing.

Slicing involves splitting a 3D model into hundreds or thousands of thin layers using special software called a slicer. The slicer generates a G-code that contains instructions for the 3D printer regarding the movement of the print head, temperature, print speed and other parameters. The next step is to prepare the printer, which involves placing the printing material, most often a plastic filament (e.g. PLA, ABS), resin or powder, and heating the print head to the appropriate temperature so that the material can be fed into the extruder.

During the printing process, the print head moves according to the instructions from the G-code, applying the material layer by layer on the printing platform. Each layer of material hardens or is cured with UV light (in the case of SLA printers) before the next layer is applied. After printing is completed, the object is allowed to cool completely and harden. Depending on the material used, the object may require additional finishing steps, such as removing supports, grinding, painting or curing with UV light.

There are several types of 3D printers, the most popular of which is FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling). In this method, the filament is melted and applied layer by layer. Other types include SLA (Stereolithography), which uses UV light to cure layers of liquid resin, SLS (Selective Laser Sintering), where the laser sinteres powder materials into a solid structure, and DLP (Digital Light Processing), similar to SLA but using a digital light projector instead of a laser. 3D printers are used in many fields, from prototyping and manufacturing of mechanical parts, to medicine, to the creation of everyday objects and art.

Polish dental implants from a 3D printer

Wrocław researchers presented an innovative idea for biodegradable dental implants manufactured using a 3D printer. Trying to produce a tooth implant in a 3D printer is nothing new. This device is used precisely for the production of models and prototypes. However, the problem was the low functionality of such a tooth implant, due to the fact that it would not bind to the bone.

A key element of this breakthrough solution is the use of magnesium as a component of implants. Thanks to this material, the implant will be able to naturally grow into the patient's bone tissue over time, eliminating the need for subsequent replacement or removal. This innovative technology assumes that already at the stage of manufacturing implants, their top layer will be covered with a biodegradable layer, which will decompose over time, integrating with the natural structures of the tooth.

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Magnesium and jaw bone?

Magnesium is one of the key minerals that affect the health of bone tissue. It has several important properties:

• Bone strengthening — magnesium plays an important role in bone mineralization because it is a component of hydroxyapatite, the main bone mineral. Affects bone hardness and strength.
• Calcium regulation — magnesium is essential for proper calcium metabolism. It helps in the transport of calcium through cell membranes and is necessary for the proper functioning of the parathyroid glands, which regulate the level of calcium in the blood.
• Effects on osteoclasts and osteoblasts — magnesium affects the activity of bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) and bone-bearing cells (osteoclasts). Its deficiency can lead to increased activity of osteoclasts, which contributes to bone resorption and weakening of bone tissue.
• Role in protein synthesis — magnesium is essential for the synthesis of proteins, including collagen, which is an essential element of the organic matrix of bone.
• Anti-inflammatory properties — magnesium has anti-inflammatory effects, which can help protect bones from inflammatory processes that can lead to their degradation.

To maintain the health of bone tissue, it is important to provide the body with adequate amounts of magnesium through diet or supplementation, especially in cases where there is a risk of its deficiency. It is therefore not surprising that its properties have also been used to trigger and accelerate the process of connecting a tooth implant, printed on a 3D printer, to the bone.

When will we print dental implants for patients?

Comprehensive research on this technology is currently underway, covering several key stages. It starts from precise three-dimensional design, through the manufacture of the implant, to detailed strength tests. This project, known as CERMET, is funded by the National Center for Research and Development in Poland and MOST in Taiwan, which underlines its international and interdisciplinary character.

Research on biodegradable dental implants can make a significant contribution to the development of dentistry. The innovation of this solution lies in its ability to integrate naturally into the patient's tissues, which can benefit not only the health and comfort of patients, but also minimize the risk of complications associated with traditional implants. The work of Wrocław students and scientists has the potential to revolutionize the approach to dentistry and introduce new standards in the field of dental implantology.

Poles Pioneers of Printed Implants

For years, Polish scientists have been interested in the possibilities of using 3D printing in the medical industry, recognizing its huge potential in creating personalized solutions.