Boston Micro Fabrication (BMF) is a leading provider of advanced manufacturing solutions for applications requiring ultra-high precision. Now BMF announces UltraThineer dental veneers, entering the dental market.
The cosmetic dental veneers are 3D-printed to customer specifications using BMF’s Projection Micro Stereolithography (PµSL) technology. They are three times thinner than conventional veneers and require significantly less preparation for dentists. Patients’ natural enamel is less abraded, preserving more. The UltraThineer dental veneers are expected to be available in the United States in spring 2024, following review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
BMF is developing its own innovations, in addition to 3D printers, that are made possible – or at least made significantly faster and more cost-effective – by its novel, high-precision, microscale printing technology.
The UltraThineer dental veneers were developed in collaboration with Peking University. They are characterized by an
advanced material, production flow and finishing process that together result in thinner, more comfortable and less invasive veneers. Additive manufacturing and 3D printing have already proven themselves in numerous dental applications where there is a need for customized or personalized solutions. These include orthodontic aligners, mouthguards, drill guides and dentures.
“Being able to print ceramics in minimal thickness will seem revolutionary. Our current veneers, which require minimal preparation time on the teeth, create high labor costs in the lab compared to milled, full-thickness crowns. Patients’ enamel should be largely preserved wherever possible. I am excited about this new technology that can print delicate, ultra-thin veneers. BMF’s advances and innovations will continue to push the boundaries of dentistry and inspire innovation around the world,” said Jessica Love of Capture Dental Arts, a leading North American provider of cosmetic dental services.
Currently, veneers are manufactured to a thickness of at least 0.5 millimeters and require extreme preparatory work on existing teeth. The highly invasive procedure, which is uncomfortable for patients, cannot be reversed. The ultra-thin veneers measure only 100 µm and allow esthetic restorations with no or minimal tooth preparation. In this way, the enamel is largely preserved. A range of ultra-thin zirconia veneers can be used to align, reshape or whiten teeth in a simple, painless and minimally invasive procedure.
“The application of ultra-thin and stable 3D-printed zirconia veneers can quickly and painlessly strengthen and protect the surface of teeth, prevent cold acid stimulation and wear, and significantly improve appearance. More importantly, compared to conventional ceramic veneer technology, it eliminates the entire tooth reduction process,” says Professor Sun Yuchun of Peking University’s Department of Stomatology.
BMF develops not only machines, materials and software for the production of prototypes and series parts for the industry, but also end products that are only made possible by the PµSL process.
“Our unique technology enables companies in all industries, from electronics to medical technology, to keep pace with increasing miniaturization. We enjoy working with our customers on their own innovations. But we are also excited to introduce one of the first in-house developed applications of our technology,” said John Kawola, CEO-Global, BMF. “We know that patients and dentists alike can benefit from thinner veneers, and we look forward to bringing a higher level of precision to the cosmetic dental industry.”
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