By Luken De Arbeloa
⋅ 3 min read
⋅ 19 Sept 2025
Earlier this year, I joined several members of the DSD team at IDS. Our mission was to be the eyes and ears for our community so we could bring the latest knowledge and innovations directly back to you. While there, I had the pleasure of speaking with Georgio Haddad, the Healthcare Lead for Formlabs, right in the heart of the Formlabs booth.
Knowing that many dental professionals are curious about integrating new technology but are also skeptical, I wanted to take advantage of this moment and ask Georgio some of the most important questions on behalf of the DSD community. I wanted to discuss some common concerns that dental professionals have when it comes to investing in a 3D printer, and some of the top reasons why you should consider bringing one into your practice. This is what I will explore in this article.
Addressing common 3D printing concerns: cost, materials and long-term use
Georgio and I discussed the common mix of excitement and skepticism dentists experience and two main concerns that stop them investing in a 3D printer for their dental clinic.
Material limitations: A big question for many dentists is whether materials for permanent restorations are equivalent to e.max or zirconia.
Long-term relevance: Another very real concern is whether a new printer will be a ‘one-off excitement’ and then sit unused. Dentists worry about getting bored or whether the technology will continuously help them grow. This is something that Georgio and I both understand, which is why Formlabs focuses on creating a streamlined, easy-to-use workflow.
Why dentists should invest in a 3D printer
With those concerns out of the way, Georgio highlighted the top reasons why a dentist should consider bringing a 3D printer into their practice.
Improved patient service and turnaround time: A 3D printer allows you to provide a better service to your patients. By manufacturing appliances like surgical guides or splints in-house, you can significantly reduce the turnaround time compared to sending them to a lab.
A modern marketing tool: A 3D printer is a very good marketing tool and a way to make your clinic special. It's an impressive feature for patients to see and helps promote the clinic.
Re-engaging with dentistry: On a personal note, Georgio mentioned that it's just fun to learn new things. He suggested that 3D printing can help spark creativity and make you ‘fall in love with dentistry again’. This is something I can definitely relate to. I’ve always said that I would love to take a retired printer home to manufacture things for myself!
What is Formlabs bringing to the 3D printing market?
Georgio and I also discussed some of the cool innovations that Formlabs is bringing to the market.
The low force display engine: Georgio considers this the biggest innovation. It's at the heart of their new lineup and is responsible for many of the benefits, including blazing-fast printing speeds, high accuracy and high reliability.
Ease-of-use innovations: Formlabs has always focused on simplicity. Features like the ‘build platform flex’ make it easy to remove parts without scratching them with a scalpel. The ‘plug and play’ resin cartridges automatically dispense into the printer, so there's no mess from pouring by hand.
Open-material mode: Georgio explained that Formlabs is now offering an ‘open material mode’, which is a very exciting innovation because it allows you to print with any third-party resin.
Should you invest in a 3D printer for your dental clinic?
Our conversation made it clear that a 3D printer is a forward-thinking investment that addresses a variety of needs for a modern dental practice.
By understanding and confronting the common concerns, and by embracing the innovative features for ease-of-use and affordability, dentists can take full advantage of this technology to improve patient care, streamline their workflow and reignite their passion for dentistry.
Still feeling unsure about where to begin with implementing technology in your practice? Book a discovery call with me to explore how you can start your digital journey today. I will help guide you through the process, address your specific questions and help you create the best path forwards for your clinic.
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