Clear Aligners - A 3D Printing Story

October 14, 19 | 2 mins read


"Over the past decade, aligners have become mainstream orthodontics and I definitely see this trend continuing and expanding. With the technological advancements, including 3-D and CAD/CAM, that allow the clinician to diagnose, plan the treatment and confirm biomechanics in a far more in-depth way than ever before, orthodontics is now catching up with the high-tech world we live in—it is twenty-first-century orthodontics."

- Dr Graham Gardner, President, European Aligner Society (EAS)

Clear aligners have become the go-to dental appliance in recent times thanks to its aesthetic appeal and ease of use among numerous other factors. Invisalign, the clear aligner brand by Align Technology soon became a household name thanks to its direct to consumer marketing that changed the general public's perception of orthodontic treatment.

In this series, we take a closer look at this fascinating orthodontic therapy that took the world by storm, examining it from both a clinical as well as a business perspective.

Part 1: The Birth of Clear Aligners

In this article, we explore the origins, process, and merits of clear aligners, an orthodontic appliance that owes a big part to digital dentistry & 3D printing. Find out how clear aligners came about, the history behind Align Technology, the world's largest single user of 3D printing, as well as if today's 3D printing technology would allow us to print aligners directly. [Read More]

Part 2: 5 Things You Need To Start A Clear Aligner Business

Now that you know the background of clear aligners and its merits as an alternative orthodontic therapy, it is time for you to get involved. In this article, we list down 5 things you need to dip your toes into this billion dollar industry. For the benefit of those who are new to digital dentistry, we provide an overview of what each equipment is before going into details such as price and other purchasing considerations. [Read More]

Part 3: 4 Reasons Why MSLA 3D Printers Are Perfect For Clear Aligners Manufacturing

Among the equipment, you will need for your own clear aligner manufacturing line is a reliable 3D printer. However, there numerous types of 3D printers out there utilizing various technologies for applications across various industries. In this article, we highlight 4 reasons why Mask Stereolithography (MSLA) technology 3D printers are ideal for clear aligners manufacturing. [Read More]

Part 4: Same Day Aligners - A Game Changer for the Orthodontic Industry [Guest Post]

This is a guest post written by Dr. K. Amanda Wilson, DDS, MDS. Dr. Wilson is the Founder & CEO of StraightSmile Solutions and the former Dental Director of SmileDirectClub. She was a practicing clinical orthodontist for more than 10 years.

Why wait weeks to deliver aligners and pay exorbitant lab fees when there’s now innovative technology that can allow you to scan, design, print, and thermoform your own aligner case in just a few hours? Same day aligners are a game changer in the orthodontic industry. How do you know if it’s right for you and your practice? Let’s have a look at some of the key points. [Read More]

Ready to start your own brand of clear alingers?

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