NextDent introduces LC 3DPrint Box for curing 3D printed materials

Capable and accurate printers at increasingly affordable prices; a variety of materials certified for long-term use in the oral cavity; an increasing number of final output options: These developments are helping to increase the adoption of 3D printing technologies in dentistry.

However, so far, dental professionals interested in printing their own models, bite splints, aligners, drill guides or crowns have encountered the same problem. Printouts originating from DLP/SLA-based printers need to be post-cured and post-curing units were highly expensive. NextDent believes it has a solution with the unveiling of the new LC 3DPrint Box.

Technique: Using 3D printers for your model work

Post-curing of 3D printed elements is necessary to achieve full monomer conversion, which is important for different reasons. First of all, the process minimizes the amount of residual monomer in the material and thus ensures its biocompatibility. Furthermore, beneficial mechanical properties such as a high strength and long-term stability of the printed elements are obtained only after post-curing.

Even enthusiastic hobbyists want to leverage these benefits. Due to the lack of affordable curing units, they simply expose their printed toys or everyday objects to sunlight for several hours or put them under UV lamps usually used in nail salons. These solutions do not provide reliability, particularly in the context of the dental office or laboratory. Dental applications require the use of professional equipment that ensures a uniform light distribution and controlled temperature, and offer a full light spectrum (300 to 550 nm wavelength).

The LC 3DPrint Box offers the desired features combined with a noiseless operation, and reportedly enables the user to set individual exposure times. The internal dimensions of the box (26 cm x 26 cm x 19.5 cm) make it possible to cure several objects at once, so the procedure becomes highly efficient. This is designed to provide cost-savings with regular use of the device.

Step-by-step: Provide immediate esthetics for an implant case

The LC 3DPrint Box is based on a post-processing technique that does not require additional nitrogen, which reportedly results cost reductions and contributes to a simplified integration into the office or laboratory.

The box can be used to post-cure various resins including the complete range of NextDent 3D printing materials. These include materials with a Class IIa certification for the production of bite splints, denture bases and crowns and bridges, Class I materials used to manufacture surgical guides, indirect bonding trays and different model and cast materials.

For more information visit nextdent.com.