Formlabs releases new biocompatible 3D printable resin

Formlabs recently announced the release of Dental SG Resin, reportedly the first biocompatible resin in desktop 3D printing. Dental SG is a certified biocompatible Class 1 material designed primarily for surgical guide applications. Dental SG is engineered to allow applications never seen before in the desktop 3D printing space, such as high-precision drill guides from digital scan data for implant surgeries. Dental professionals reportedly can now move from a 3D model to a directly printed surgical guide at a quick turnaround and a tremendously affordable price.

“When practitioners and researchers have the ability and access to develop incredibly precise tools for surgical applications, it opens up a new range of possibilities for the dental industry and for the medical science industry at large,” says Dávid Lakatos, Head of Product at Formlabs. “Formlabs is leading the way in helping to advance patient care by introducing solutions that enable personalized surgical planning and mass customization. Material innovation, like with the introduction of Dental SG, is a key driver in growing the adoption of digital dentistry powered by 3D printing.”

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In recent years, dental applications in desktop 3D printing have rapidly taken off. Dentists use the Form 2 3D printing to create surgical guides, educa-tional models, bleaching trays, retainers, aligners and more. Some of the applications have transformed the medical field. At the Indiana University School of Dentistry, Dr. Travis Bellicchi, a resident specializing in maxillo-facial prosthetics, is developing a new digital workflow with Formlabs 3D printers to create accurate prostheses for individual patients, inspired by his work with Shirley Anderson, a Vietnam veteran who suffered severe jaw loss as a result of cancer. The introduction of Dental SG is designed to significantly expand the industry’s repertoire of dental applications.

The new resin has already drawn praise from leaders in the dental community like Dr. Michael Scherer, who has been using Formlabs 3D printers in his private dental office for almost two years. He will be adding Dental SG to the curriculum of his 3D printing training for dentists. “The addition of Dental SG Resin is a game-changer,” Dr. Scherer says. “Dental SG is poised to dramatically improve patient outcome of surgical procedures by making implant surgery faster, more precise, and ultimately more comfortable for the patient. Direct printing of surgical guides has traditionally required larger-scale 3D printers that are beyond the expense and comfort level of most dental laboratories and clinicians. The introduction of Dental SG Resin allows for benchtop surgical guide printing in dental offices and smaller dental labs.”

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Compatible with the Form 2 3D printer, the Dental SG biocompatible resin will be available directly from the Formlabs web store. Dental SG joins Formlabs’ library of materials for its 3D printers, which includes a suite of Standard and Functional resins for a variety of capabilities.

Along with Dental SG, Formlabs also introduced updated formulations of Clear, Black, Flexible and Tough Resins, providing customers with rapid prototyping needs with an improved current line of materials. Additionally, Formlabs announced the launch of the Materials Manager, which allows users to track resin consumption and tank usage and to easily switch between resins.

To learn more about Dental SG Resin and other Formlabs products, visit formlabs.com or call 617-702-8476.