Tri-Tech 3D introduces TrueDent resin for 3D printing

Designed to help dental laboratories streamline their workflows and eliminate the need to bond teeth to the gingiva when producing dental appliances, UK provider of Stratasys 3D printing solutions, Tri-Tech 3D is making TrueDent available to its customers.

The new resin is designed specifically for the 3D printing of full monolithic permanent dentures, temporary crowns and bridges. The "first material of its kind", TrueDent enables the batch production of highly aesthetic, multi-colour dental appliances on a single mixed part, high-capacity tray. 

TrueDent is a patented FDA-cleared (Class II) light-curable resin, which is designed to be used exclusively in conjunction with the Stratasys J5 DentaJet 3D printer. This system enables dental laboratories to use different materials in a single job, to create full colour, patient specific appliances. 

Proprietary PolyJet multi-material technology means TrueDent can produce natural looking gums and mimic tooth structure with optimal translucency in various shades. This means that, unlike with other materials, dental laboratories create full colour dentures in one continuous print, avoiding the need to print the denture base and teeth separately.  

TrueDent is compatible with any open STL file, which avoids the need to invest in dedicated software. TrueDent comes as a whole group of colours, including TrueDent Yellow, TrueDent White, TrueDent Magenta and TrueDent Cyan. The printer mixes these during the print process to achieve the colours required for a fully monolithic denture.

“Previously, even with the most sophisticated 3D printer, dental labs would need to print the arch and gingiva separately, before bonding and polishing them,” explained Amish Jani, sales specialist at Tri-Tech 3D. “This quickly became a long, costly process for most laboratories. TrueDent is the first and only full colour resin set on the market, which makes it a great material choice for dental labs that are using the J5 DentaJet. Combined with this dental-specific AM system, TrueDent allows dental labs to print up to 34 custom dentures in one build — something that was previously unimaginable.” 

“TrueDent is one of a kind and a powerful tool in dental labs’ armoury,” explained Anthony Gillitt, national sales manager for dental UK and Ireland at Stratasys. “Being able to produce whole dentures and other realistic appliances in one build eliminates the need for bonding, which removes delay and can shorten lead times. We look forward to seeing it adopted more widely.”