Bite splint printed on a Formlabs Dental 3D printer
By Christian Coachman
⋅ 2 min read
⋅ 5 Oct 2023
My name is Christian Coachman, founder of DSD and I’m thrilled to announce the launch of the Bite Splint Masterclass.
This brand-new content series, developed in collaboration with Formlabs Dental, outlines the significance of bite splints in restorative patient care and how in-house 3D printing optimizes the efficiency and profitability of dental offices. The Masterclass consists of 7 videos with a total viewing time of over 100 minutes and is available for free on our online platform BeDSD.
It focuses on three key facets of bite splints: clinical relevance, patient comfort, and manufacturing efficiency. Here I’ll discuss the unique advantages this Masterclass has to offer dentists who want to make the best use of 3D technology in their clinics and invest in 3D printers.
Why are Bite Splints important?
As a dentist, you will know that bite splints play an important role in restorative dentistry and there are several important reasons to prescribe a bite splint to your patient.
They serve various purposes, such as safeguarding existing teeth, protecting full mouth rehabilitations, preserving implant restorations, diagnosing occlusal functional issues, and redefining jaw relationships. Additionally, they act as a transitional phase in guiding patients toward comprehensive full-mouth rehabilitation.
At the DSD Planning Center, we always recommend a bite splint as a standard product to include with every smile restoration, ensuring that patients can take great care of their new smiles.
What does the Bite Splint Masterclass cover?
To make the process of 3D printing bite splints seamless and affordable to deliver, this Masterclass covers the following essential topics:
Clinical Relevance: We discuss why we prescribe bite splints from clinical and functional perspectives, ensuring that the treatment aligns with patient needs
Patient Comfort: We explore the comfort factor for patients using bite splints, recognizing that their well-being is paramount.
Manufacturing Efficiency: We demonstrate the ease and efficiency of manufacturing bite splints, emphasizing the convenience of in-house production with Formlabs Dental printers.
Through in-depth exploration and discussion of these topics, you’ll be empowered to make informed decisions about how to manufacture bite splints in-house.
Christian Coachman testing various 3D printed versions of bite splints
Unique advantages of this Masterclass
DSD's partnership with Formlabs Dental is a collaboration that empowers our commitment to advancing dental technology and innovative education to equip dental professionals with the knowledge and tools they need to truly excel in their practice.
This unique Masterclass is a result of that collaboration where we are able to unveil new products from Formlabs Dental, such as the Dental LT Comfort Resin, a new material designed specifically for flexible bite splints. During this series, we meticulously compare this material with the Dental LT Clear Resin and a traditional milled acrylic splint.
3D printed bite splint made from Dental LT Comfort from Formlabs Dental
Throughout the Bite Splint Masterclass, I will also assume the role of both the patient and the moderator, engaging with experts to further discuss functional occlusion, materials, and printing technology. We will demonstrate the fabrication of various bite splints to showcase the range of materials available today. I will personally test these bite splints and provide candid feedback on my preferred material.
By the end of this Masterclass, you'll understand how the Formlabs LT Comfort resin sets a new gold standard for printing bite splints, realize the efficiency and simplicity of 3D printing compared to milling, and acknowledge the importance of an efficient bite splint protocol for every dental office.
Watch the Bite Splint Masterclass now
Watch the entire Masterclass for free on our online platform, BeDSD, to get started with 3D-printed bite splints with Formlabs Dental printers. To access BeDSD you will need to create a free account, which only takes a minute. Membership to BeDSD gives you unlimited access to the Bite Splint Masterclass.