One of the ways that Firouzian Dentistry is introducing digital dentistry to Columbus is with 3D printed provisional restorations–the ones you wear while waiting for your permanent restoration. This may make some people nervous–how can a printed dental crown perform like those made in more traditional ways?
Let us assure you: we did our research before we decided to invest in this technology, so we knew it would work. However, you don’t have to take our word for it. Now there’s a new study published showing that this type of provisional material is just as strong as traditional provisional materials. Combined with the high accuracy of digital impressions and the speed of their manufacture, these new provisional materials will make your next visit to our office not only high-tech, but high-satisfaction, and high-speed.
Testing Provisional Materials
For this study, researchers looked at four different traditional provisional materials, and four different 3D printed materials. They manufactured six disks of all 8 materials and subjected them to a variety of tests, mostly looking at how to prepare and bond the material to teeth. They found that there was no significant difference in the bonding strength between the 3D printed materials and the traditional materials.
However, when they tested the fracture toughness, they found that the strongest provisional material was actually a 3D printed material. The next toughest, but significantly weaker, was also a 3D printed provisional. The next two toughest were comparable traditional materials, but significantly weaker than either of the first two. The other four (half 3D printed and half traditional) were all comparable to each other.
High Accuracy
Of course, there’s more to getting a good provisional crown than toughness. It also matters that it fits properly. And we know that our 3D printed provisionals have accuracy comparable to lab-made dental crowns. The digital impressions are so accurate that our dental labs now use them for all restorations, not just provisional crowns, but permanent final ones as well. And we have had great experience with the results for our patients.
Faster Results
Of course, one of the biggest benefits of digital dentistry is its speed. Instead of the difficulty of taking a series of physical impressions, we can simply wave a wand over your teeth to get an impression. It just takes a few clicks to design your new crown, and we can set it to printing while we work on other preparations. You may have to wait a little bit to get your temporary, but it’s not as bad as waiting on a more traditional provisional.
Beautiful Results
And, of course, we wouldn’t use these provisionals if they didn’t look beautiful. And they do. When you get your provisional restorations, you will be delighted. You might even cry–we’ve seen it before.
And while the provisional materials are strong, the final restorations are even stronger. They have to be if they’re going to last you 10 or 20 years or more, and that’s our goal.
Advanced Dentistry for Great Results and a Great Experience
If you are looking for not just great results from your dentistry, but a great experience as well, then you’re looking for Firouzian Dentistry. Please call (614) 848-5001 today to schedule a consultation with Columbus, Ohio dentist Dr. Mike Firouzian.
