PolyJet dental 3D printing is opening new possibilities for producing full color, multi-material dentures and prosthetics while reducing many of the labor intensive steps associated with traditional dental manufacturing. Chris Kabot, Vice President and Head of Dental at Stratasys, joins Rob Norton to explore how his career in dental technology evolved alongside 3D printing and why he believes dentistry is entering a golden age of jet printing. Chris explains how PolyJet differs from DLP, SLA, and LCD printing while exploring polychromatic monolithic dentures, TrueDent, multi-material manufacturing, support removal, accuracy, material science, and the potential for high impact denture materials, hard-soft night guards, crown and bridge restorations, and other future applications. The conversation also examines AI assisted dental design, the dental technician shortage, opportunities for small dental laboratories, third party materials, and how automation could allow laboratories to increase production without sacrificing the knowledge and artistry of experienced technicians. Looking toward the future of digital dentistry, Chris shares why advances in printhead technology, stronger materials, AI, open material ecosystems, and scalable manufacturing could make high quality digital dentures and other patient specific dental products more accessible around the world.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Intro
• (00:01:42) - From Orthodontic Lab to Dental 3D Printing
• (00:06:28) - From Surgical Guides to 3D Printed Dentures
• (00:08:21) - What Makes PolyJet 3D Printing Different?
• (00:13:20) - Automation, Accuracy & Reducing Dental Lab Labor
• (00:15:11) - DLP vs. PolyJet & the Future of Dental Materials
• (00:23:11) - Why Digital Dentures Haven't Reached Mass Adoption
• (00:25:13) - Full Color, Multi-Material 3D Printed Dentures
• (00:28:40) - AI, True Dent & the Future of Dental 3D Printing