3D Print a Perfect Smile in Just Minutes, Not Days

What’s the value of 60 seconds? In today’s hectic world of dentistry, a few minutes here and there might not seem like a lot of time. But everyone knows that minutes always add up, especially in a busy workflow, and before we know it, we’re talking about a significant time crunch. It’s an observation that Kerri Hill, DDS, has made many times, especially since she began using the MIDAS 3D printer from SprintRay.

“Workflow-wise, it definitely has been a game changer for my practice,” shared Dr. Hill. “Overall, in the grand scheme of things, we’re talking about a difference of 10 to 15 minutes, compared with other 3D printers I’ve used. Even for an average dental practice that is higher volume, each time you gain an extra 10 or 15 minutes per patient, it’s going to make quite the difference in not only production but also in the ability to get patients moving in and out of the chairs—and on with their day!”

An all-new solution for chairside restorations, and the world’s first digital restoration press, SprintRay’s MIDAS 3D printer can fabricate a range of restorations in just 10 minutes. Need an example? The ultrafast speed means that dental offices can print up to 3 crowns, 6 inlays/onlays, or 9 veneers in far less time than other 3D printers on the market. In her busy Beverly Hills, CA, practice, Dr. Hill uses the MIDAS for same-day crowns, inlays, and onlays. And according to Dr. Hill, it’s not only fast, but it’s also easy to operate, has a convenient, small footprint, and it’s mess-free. 

Just 'Scan and Go'

“It comes with prebuilt cartridges, which is quite lovely, because if you’ve ever had the experience of working with typical 3D printers, the material can be a little messy, especially when we’re changing out, cleaning, and filtering the material between use,” she shared. “The ability to have something ready to go and on demand is so convenient. Plus, I have the simplicity of being able to just scan and go because MIDAS recognizes the material and communicates with the design software to print exactly what I need.”

For example, when Dr. Hill has a patient in the chair who needs a crown, she just scans for the crown, treatment plans the design on the computer, and then fabricates the restoration—all in under 20 minutes. “The patient doesn’t have to come back for another visit, and because it's super space-efficient, I can even be chairside to print, glaze, and customize the coloring," she said. 

World's First DPS Technology

Featuring the first-ever, patented Digital Press Stereolithography (DPS) technology, which combines the tank, resin, and platform into a single capsule, MIDAS can print using materials up to 10x more viscous than conventional 3D printers can accommodate, and it can handle up to 3 capsules at once. The fully enclosed resin capsules are ready to use right out of the box, and according to Dr. Hill, it’s as easy as scan, place, and press. Additionally, clinicians who purchase MIDAS gain access to the AI Studio and unlimited AI designs for 1 year. It’s a feature that combines the convenience of AI design with the versatility of CAD to create a simple, cloud-based design suite.

“I use the AI feature to design the crown on demand, and that’s when I get the crown back in less than 5 minutes because the software gives me different choices in a tooth library, allows me to confirm my margins, and then uses that to build the crown that it will print,” she shared. “With MIDAS, we’re not waiting for the STL files and the design from a lab because we get it in real time using the AI feature.”

A Streamlined Workflow

Dr. Hill believes MIDAS streamlines her workflow and eliminates the time, stress, and manual labor normally associated with a traditional direct restorative workflow. Plus, she believes the MIDAS more than pays for itself, especially when considering the absence of labs, the reduction in turnaround and treatment time, and the convenience of same-day restorations that’s always a practice-builder and a plus for busy patients.

“With MIDAS, I can do quadrant dentistry instead of trying to tap composite and worry about proximal contact or closing the margins,” she said. “Sure, there’s going to be a learning curve if you haven’t done a lot of 3D printing, but I guarantee you, it’s going to become second nature and you’ll be so glad you have the MIDAS!”