In-Office Scanner and Milling Machine Allows Dentists to Produce Same-Day Crowns Themselves
The dental products division of USA-based multinational conglomerate 3M, formerly known as the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, has announced the launch of a dental scanner and in office milling system which can be used by dentists to mill crowns directly in their own practices. The scanner is the 3M True Definition Scanner and the milling equipment is the TS150 In-Office Milling Solution from IOS Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of US dental lab equipment supplier Glidewell Laboratories. The software connecting the two is FastDesign. The dental division of 3M is 3M ESPE.
According to 3M ESPE, the addition of the new milling system is just the latest example of how the 3M True Definition Scanner enables dentists to expand their options—putting CAD/CAM dentistry within reach of any practice.
With the 3M True Definition Scanner and the TS150 System featuring FastDesign Software, dentists have a simple, convenient and affordable solution for same-day dentistry. The dentist quickly captures a digital impression on the 3M True Definition Scanner, which is reportedly more accurate—and more consistently accurate—than leading systems on the market¹, and sends it to the FastDesign CAD station for the design of the dental restoration. By leveraging Glidewell Laboratories's extensive dental anatomy library, the software creates a highly accurate crown proposal and guides the user through the rest of the design process. Once complete, the design is sent to the TS150 mill—a powerful air-driven unit that features a spindle which turns at 150,000 rpm and an orbital mill path that prevents the burr from crossing over the margin, ensuring excellent marginal integrity for better fitting restorations. In addition, the TS150 mill is approved for 3M ESPE's unique resin nano ceramic material, Lava Ultimate Restorative, that delivers strength and aesthetics with a fast, no firing process.
3M has worked closely with IOS Technologies to test and validate the seamless integration of the 3M True Definition Scanner with the TS150 In-Office Milling Solution. Access to this Trusted Connection is available to subscribers of 3M's Advanced Data Plan.
"This new Trusted Connection combines the 3M True Definition Scanner's unprecedented quality and affordability with the intuitive and easy-to-learn CAD/CAM system from IOS Technologies, making it easier for dentists to create beautiful and strong dental restorations with 3M ESPE's Lava Ultimate Restorative," said David Frazee, vice president and general manager of 3M Digital Oral Care. "In the midst of this fast-paced digitization of dentistry, 3M expects to be the leader in rapidly delivering new and affordable connections for dentists and labs alike."
For more information about the 3M True Definition Scanner, visit www.3M.com/TrueDef/TS150.
1Study methodology described in: van der Meer WJ, et. al. (2012). Application of Intra-Oral Dental Scanners in the Digital Workflow of Implantology. PLoS ONE 7(8):e43312.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0043312. Additional measurements conducted by ACTA (Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam); Wicher J. van der Meer, et. al. (2012). Publication pending.