Page 21 - REVISED GP Fall 2021 - ready for posting

Somerville, MA) then printed. Figure 5 re- ers themselves. However there are cur- Arthur Volker, DDS, MSED,
3,4
veals the completed models from the print- rently some issues with direct printing such FAGD graduated from Co-
er (Form 2). The models were then further as control of aligner thickness. 5 lumbia University School
processed using an iso-propyl alcohol wash of Dental and Oral Sur-
and LED light cure. Figure 6 demonstrates When the patient returned to the office, gery and completed a gen-
a post-cured model. composite buttons were placed as pre- eral practice residency at
scribed by the lab (Figure 9). Figure 10 the New York Hospital of
demonstrates the fit of the aligner intraorally. Queens.
Dr. Volker lectures nationally and interna-

tionally on topics such as cosmetic dentist-
Angel De Leon is a Dental Lab Technician for Emperia Lab. With
ry, minimally invasive dentistry, and dental
his background in technology, Angel specializes in CAD/CAM
equipment learning the functions of both hardware and software
materials. He is an instructor for both the
related to dental lab operation. Angel has a high focus on the
quality of his work and the desire to learn more. Along with the

Center of Esthetic Excellence as well as The
technical work in the lab, Angel also has experience with patients
and knows the importance of good chairside manners as he
works side by side in office with doctors like Dr. Volker to get more
Bioclear Learning Center. Additionally, Dr.
personalized cases done right whether about function or esthetics
for patient satisfaction.
Volker has authored articles and book chap-
ters on various dental topics. He practices at
Figure 6. Properly post-cured model. Dent-Care Dental in Sunnyside, Queens.
Once all models were printed and cured, a Figure 9. Composite buttons placed on Angel De Leon is a Den-
positive pressure thermo-forming machine anterior teeth. tal Lab Technician for
Emperia Lab. With his
(MiniSTAR, Great Lakes Dental Technol- background in technolo-
ogies, Tonawanda, NY) was used to create gy, Angel specializes in
the clear aligners (Figure 7). The aligners CAD/CAM equipment
learning the functions of
both hardware and soft-
ware related to dental lab operation. Angel
has a high focus on the quality of his work
and the desire to learn more. Along with the
technical work in the lab, Angel also has ex-
perience with patients and knows the impor-
tance of good chairside manners as he works
Figure 10. Clear aligner fitted onto the arch.
side by side in office with doctors like Dr.
Conclusion Volker to get more personalized cases done
The implementation of the 3D printer to right whether about function or esthetics for
patient satisfaction.
print models for clear aligner therapy is a
cost-effective way to introduce in-office
digital dentistry. When compared to the
Figure 7. Positive pressure thermo-form- laboratory fee of treating a patient with
ing machine used to fabricate aligners. aligners from a large-scale clear aligner
company, 3-4 cases will typically cover the
are made from an ethylene-propylene poly- cost of the printer, printer resin, lab STL
mer (Invisacryl, Great Lakes Dental Tech- fee and polymer materials, yielding a rapid
nologies) (Figure 8). Note that this is the ROI, as well as provide the patient with a
valuable service.

References
1. The National Association of Dental Labora-
tories. The Numbers are In. Journal of Dental
Technology. 2021 May;38(5):2.
2. The National Association of Dental Labora-
tories. Type Trends. Journal of Dental Technol-
ogy. 2020 May;37(8):8.
3. Maspero C, Tartaglia GM. 3D Printing of
Clear Orthodontic Aligners: Where We Are and
Where We Are Going. Materials (Basel). 2020
Nov 18;13(22):5204.
4. Tartaglia GM, Mapelli A, Maspero C, Santa-
Figure 8. Formed aligner ready to be niello T, Serafin M, Farronato M, Caprioglio A.
trimmed. Direct 3D Printing of Clear Orthodontic Align-
ers: Current State and Future Possibilities. Ma-
same method used to fabricate clear align- terials (Basel). 2021 Apr 5;14(7):1799.
ers by large-scale clear aligner orthodontic 5. Edelmann A, English JD, Chen SJ, Kasper
companies. Future applications are leaning FK. Analysis of the thickness of 3-dimension-
towards the direct 3D printing of the align- al-printed orthodontic aligners. Am J Orthod
Dentofacial Orthop. 2020 Nov;158(5):e91-e98.
www.nysagd.org l Fall 2021 l GP 21