Disruptive Technology
The future of orthodontics is 4D. Our insights into the aligner industry have proven to be accurate. We predict a shift to dynamic aligners, moving away from the static models that dominate the industry. SmartPrint Ortho Technology is leading the way towards a future where orthodontic care is personalized, environmentally conscious, and technologically advanced.​
In the video below, renowned Dr. Ravindra Nanda, BDS, MDS, PhD, shares his insights on the revolutionary technology of direct 3D-printed aligners. Dr. Nanda, Professor Emeritus and former Chair of the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Connecticut Health Center, offers valuable perspectives on the benefits of this groundbreaking technology for the environment, orthodontic treatment, and patients.
With extensive experience in orthodontics, Dr. Nanda, Editor-in-Chief of Progress in Orthodontics, provides his expert opinion on how direct 3D printing of aligners is transforming treatment methods and offering a more sustainable and efficient alternative.
This video offers a unique opportunity to hear from one of the leading experts in orthodontics about the advancements shaping the future of the field. To learn more about Dr. Nanda, click here to read his full biography.
IN THIS EPISODE:
· [06:19] Dr. Ravinda how the process works.
· [07:45] Directly Printed Aligner in the USA
· [09:01] Brief Overview of the Production Process
· [09:49] When I saw this for the first time, I said, "Oh my God, this will be the future."
· [11:25] Dr. Ravinda discusses the cost of the aligners and functionality and shares the benefits to the patient.
· [17:05] Treatment can accelerate the therapy and affect the impact on the environment.
· [23:02] A listener asks a question of Dr. Ravinda regarding the mechanics of printing an aligner.
" It has been an exciting time for 3D printing in dentistry, but we have all been waiting for the "proverbial holy grail" of printing - directly printing clear aligners." Dr. Melissa Shotell.
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In the video below, Dr. Melissa Shotell, DMD, MS, a board-certified orthodontist by the American Board of Orthodontics, gives a comprehensive presentation on the direct printing of aligners using shape memory polymers. To learn more about Dr. Melissa Shotell, please click here to read her biography.​
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Check out this video on Dr. Shotell's thoughts of where we are currently and the future of printing in orthodontics.​
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Below you will find testimonials and opinions from internationally renowned researchers and orthodontists on the innovative technology of direct-to-clear aligner printing. The videos were produced by Graphy, the company that introduced the world to the first shape memory polymer resin for the production of clear aligners. View the videos below. The videos can also be viewed on Graphy's LinkedIn at this link:
" This is a gamer changer for clear aligner therapy "
Ki Beom Kim DDS, MSD, PhD
Dr. Ki Beom Kim is a Dr. Lysle Johnston Endowed Chair in Orthodontics and the Program Director in the Orthodontic Department, Center for Advanced Dental Education at Saint Louis University. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain. He received his dental training in South Korea, finished three years of Oral Medicine training, received his Ph.D. in Orofacial Pain, and completed his orthodontic training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He has presented many times at international and national meetings as well as published close to 100 peer-reviewed articles and multiple book chapters. Additionally, he has participated in over 120 master thesis projects over the years and has had three textbooks written.
Professional biography: https://education.aaoinfo.org/b/sp/ki-beom-kim-6371
" It can be directly printed with a 3D printer, and this technology represents the 5th generation of aligners."
Dr. Bjorn Ludwig D.M.D., M.S., Ph.D.
Dr. Björn Ludwig maintains a private orthodontic practice in Traben-Trarbach, Germany. He is a scientific coordinator and Assistant Professor at the University of Homburg/Saar, Department of Orthodontics.His primary research focus is on skeletal anchorage and 3D technologies, and Dr. Ludwig has authored over 200 peer-reviewed clinical and scientific articles and is editor of two books. Dr. Ludwig is editor in chief of the Quintessence publication “Kieferorthopädie” (Orthodontics). He is also co-editor of the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics and Journal of Orthodontic Science. Dr. Ludwig is an active member of the Angle society of Europe and serves in the council of the German board in Orthodontics. He is the past president of the European Begg Society.
Professional biography: https://www.americanortho.com/education/advocates/dr-bjorn-ludwig/
" The most innovative aligner."
Dr. Derek Sanders
Dr. Derek Sanders was born and raised in Michigan, but currently resides in Miami, Florida. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Michigan State University and earned his Doctorate in Dental Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated at the top of his class. Additionally, he completed a dual-degree program, obtaining a Master's in Business Administration with a focus on healthcare management.Throughout his career, Dr. Sanders has received numerous awards and was inducted into the National Dental Honor Society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon. After completing his dental training, he worked as a restorative dentist in Philadelphia, PA.
Professional biography: https://www.miamiorthodontist.com/
" It's a 5th generation aligner with shape memory characteristics."
Dr. Ravindra Nanda BDS, MDS, PhD
Dr. Ravindra Nanda is Professor Emeritus at University of Connecticut and affiliated with Forsyth Institute in Cambridge Ma. He has been honored by AAO, European Orthodontic Society, CDABO and numerous International Societies. He has more than 300 scientific and clinical papers in major orthodontic journals. He has authored and co authored more eleven text books. Last book was on Biomechanics of Aligner Orthodontics. He is editor-in-Chief of Progress in Orthodontics whic received highest Impact Factor of all Orthodontic journals in 2023.
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Professional biography: https://education.aaoinfo.org/b/sp/ravindra-nanda-182
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" Direct printing aligner is next generation aligner orthodontic "
Dr. Kenji Ojima DDS, M.D.Sc, CertOrtho
Adjunct Professor University of Torino(Italy) Orthodontics Department; President of JAPAN Academy of Aligner Orthodontics; DSD/Aligner Key Opinion Leader; Private practice as a specialist in Orthodontics in Tokyo (Shinjuku and Hongo) since 2007 with Dr. Chisato Dan, Dr. Kumagai, Dr. Watanabe, and Dr. Junji Sugawara.
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Professional biography: https://www.drkenjiojima.com/about-kenji/
" You can say now, 'That's the future?' But, you know, I tell you, it's already here."
Dr. Simon Graf DMD
Inventor and pioneer and CAD/CAM Dental school University of Bern, Switzerland; 3 years fulltime postgraduate training in orthodontics University of Basel, Switzerland; Orthodontist and owner of the orthodontic clinic Smile Inc. (Smile AG in german) in Belp, suburb of Bern, capital of Switzerland; Specific interest in development of digital processes for hightech materials in orthodontics eg. direct printing of aligners and other orthodontic appliances; Research collaborations with various orthodontists and universities around the world.
Professional biography: https://education.aaoinfo.org/b/sp/simon-graf-5383
" Which now includes a virtual articulator is now done by means of memory shape aligner ."
Dr. Werner Schupp
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Dr. Schupp graduated in dentistry in 1985 from the University of Münster and has operated his own private orthodontic practice in Cologne, Germany since 1990, treating over 6000 patients with aligner orthodontics.He is certified in Manual Medicine and Osteopathy for Orthodontics, a founding member and past president of the German Board of Orthodontics and Orofacial Orthopedics, and a board member of the German Society of Aligner Orthodontics (DGAO). He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Aligner Orthodontics (JAO) and an advisory board member for Manuelle Medizin.Dr. Schupp has published numerous articles and authored books on orthodontics, including Aligner Orthodontics (2016). He is a visiting professor at Capital University in Beijing, China.
Professional biography: https://www.quintessence-publishing.com/gbr/en/author/809176/schupp-werner
In this webinar, Dr. Neil Warshawsky draws a parallel between the digital disruption in music and how direct aligner printing is creating a disruption in orthodontic treatment. Dr. Neil Warshawsky explains: 'When you talk about direct aligner printing, it is the next digital revolution for our orthodontic world. And it's not an if, it's a when. Because in the digital world, we know that things change and evolve. Better things are on the way
To learn more about Neil Warshawsky, please click here to read his biography
Clear aligners inspired by NASA’s 4D printing studies and developments. "Read the article at this link:
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Our ClearPrecision aligners already utilized this technology.
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SmartPrint Ortho Technology, represents a new technology in the planning (CAD) and production (CAM) of clear orthodontic aligners, which is disruptive in relation to the workflow practiced in this segment. It consists of direct 3D printing of aligners using shape memory polymers, also known as 4D printing. Among countless benefits, this technology eliminates the need for prior printing of 3D models to be thermoformed, providing a sustainable solution by reducing the carbon footprint.
The integration of 4D printing in dentistry promises to introduce precision and innovation into treatment methodologies. 4D printing harnesses the power of smart materials to create structures capable of changing shape in response to external stimuli such as water, heat, light, or electricity, evolving over time. This transformative technology finds applications not only in fields such as stem cell research and tissue engineering but also in dentistry, where it increases the precision and retention of prosthetic devices. In addition, a harmonious combination of 4D printing and artificial intelligence (AI) heralds approaches to dynamic and patient-specific treatment, introducing improvements in prosthetic fit, patient outcomes, and overall quality of life.
4D printing: The Future of 3D printing.
3D printing has been around for almost 30 years and while it is still in the process of research, discovering new materials and applications, new technologies such as 4D have emerged.
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What is 4D printing?
Inspired by the principle of self-assembly, 4D printing is the process by which a 3D printed object is transformed into a different structure by the influence of external energy input such as temperature, light or other environmental stimuli. That is, obtaining an object through 3D technology that, thanks to the properties of the material from which it is made, is able to change when subjected to an environmental stimulus.
This is precisely the difference between 3D and 4D technology: the ability of objects to transform over time without human intervention.
Materials Used
The key to 4D printing lies not so much in the process, based on the well-known 3D printers, but rather in the materials. Since it's a fairly new technology, the available materials are not as varied as those used for standard 3D printing.
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SMPs (shape memory polymers) are highlighted for the production of orthodontic aligners.
These are polymers that remain rigid at room temperature and offer special properties when they reach the glass transition point. An example is technologically advanced resins with shape memory, for direct printing of orthodontic aligners, which allow post-processing to modify the shape of 3D-printed parts. Thanks to their special composition and Shape Memory Polymer technology, aligners printed with this resin can be manually adjusted, allowing them to acquire another shape and maintain it over time, bringing benefits to both the environment and orthodontic treatment.
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For orthodontic applications, these special features harbor a number of unique advantages in aligner therapy—from smaller shape adjustments through controlled heating to a reduction in the number of treatment steps
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