User Experience and Sustainability of 3D Printing in Dentistry

Tamas Hegedus; Patrik Kreuter; Aron Attila Kismarczi-Antalffy; Tamas Demeter; Dorottya Banyai; Adam Vegh; Zoltan Geczi; Peter Hermann; Michael Payer; Akos Zsembery; Ahmad Al-Hassiny; Khaled Mukaddam; Valentin Herber; Norbert Jakse; Daniel Vegh

doi:10.3390/ijerph19041921

User Experience and Sustainability of 3D Printing in Dentistry

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Feb 9;19(4):1921. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19041921.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Prosthodontics, Semmelweis University, Szentkiralyi utca 47., 1088 Budapest, Hungary.
² Faculty of Dentistry, Semmelweis University, Szentkiralyi utca 47., 1088 Budapest, Hungary.
³ Department of General Dental Preclinical Practice, Semmelweis University, Szentkiralyi utca 47., 1088 Budapest, Hungary.
⁴ Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Semmelweis University, Szentkiralyi utca 47., 1088 Budapest, Hungary.
⁵ Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Dentistry, Semmelweis University, Maria utca 52., 1088 Budapest, Hungary.
⁶ Division of Oral Surgery and Orthodontics, Department of Dental Medicine and Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Medical University Graz, Billrothgasse 4, 8010 Graz, Austria.
⁷ Department of Oral Biology, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4., 1089 Budapest, Hungary.
⁸ Institute of Digital Dentistry, 9 Hillary Court, Lower Hutt, Wellington 5010, New Zealand.
⁹ Department of Oral Surgery, University Center for Dental Medicine Basel (UZB), University of Basel, Mattenstrasse 40, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.

Abstract

Background: 3D printing is a rapidly developing technology in the healthcare industry and in dentistry. Its application clearly shows that this area of digital dentistry has potential for everyday usage across all fields, including prosthodontics, orthodontics, maxillofacial surgery, and oral implantology. However, despite gaining ground, there is a lack of information about how specialists (dentists and dental technicians) use additive technology. Our research group aimed to investigate the impact of social media on additive manufacturing technology among dental specialists and their everyday usage of 3D printing.

Methods: This paper investigated specialists' everyday usage of 3D printers via an online survey (Google Forms). The survey questions aimed to discover the number of 3D printers used, the accessibility of the devices, the annual cost, and the design programs. Since specialists tend to build online communities on social media, we circulated our study questionnaire using our profiles on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram platforms during our research.

Results: A total of 120 responses were received from 20 countries, with the most significant numbers being from Hungary 23.7% (n = 27), the United States 18.4% (n = 21), and the United Kingdom 7.9% (n = 9). Most of the participants were dentists (n = 68) or dental technicians (n = 29), but some CAD/CAM specialists (n = 23) also completed our survey. The participants had an average of 3.8 years (±0.7) of experience in the 3D printing field, and owned a total of 405 printing devices (3.6 on average/person).

Conclusions: The impact of social media on this research field is growing increasingly. Hence, we support specialists in joining virtual communities on professional platforms. This article intended to provide a practical overview, feedback, and direction for dentists interested in 3D printing technology. From our survey, we can conclude that additive technology is broadening dental applications and the services that we can provide for our patients.

Keywords: 3D printing; additive manufacturing; dentistry; social media; survey; sustainability.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Computer-Aided Design
Health Care Surveys
Humans
Printing, Three-Dimensional
Prosthodontics
Social Media*
Surgery, Oral*