04-19-2016: Formlabs introduced Dental SG – the first biocompatible resin designed for desktop 3D printers
This launch opened the door for Formlabs to enter the entirely new market of medical and prosthetic applications, where the company is now considered one of the global leaders
On April 19, 2016, Formlabs unveiled Dental SG – the first biocompatible resin intended for use with desktop 3D printers, which enabled the creation of highly precise surgical guides without the need for costly industrial systems. The material was certified as a Class I medical device, making it suitable for direct use in operating rooms, provided that specific safety and sterility requirements were met.
With Dental SG, Formlabs initiated a new chapter in the development of digital dentistry, allowing dentists and dental technicians to execute high-precision projects quickly and at a fraction of the previous costs.
Although the resin was relatively expensive, its biocompatible properties and medical certification made it very appealing to professionals. In practice, this meant it could come into contact with living tissue and be used during surgical procedures, provided that several conditions were fulfilled: including the use of dedicated equipment, proper lab environment, and appropriate personal protective measures.
Dental SG was notable for its transparent, yellowish color, which turned a vivid orange after exposure to UV light. Without a dedicated curing chamber, the process took longer, but even using natural sunlight it was possible to achieve the desired results (although this approach was unofficial and inconsistent with the manufacturer’s guidelines due to the uncontrolled curing conditions).
Printing with Dental SG was trouble-free, although the material tended to accelerate the wear of the standard resin tanks used in the Form 2 – printed layers strongly adhered to the tank bottom, leading to quicker degradation. Despite this, the precision of the prints and the ease of post-processing made it a competitive alternative to more expensive technologies like PolyJet.
Dental SG proved to be a major milestone in the evolution of digital medicine and professional 3D printing, offering real clinical applications for specialists around the world.
Source: www.formlabs.com
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