Last year, micro-precision 3D printing specialist Boston Micro Fabrication (BMF) launched and received FDA 510(k) clearance for its first product in the dental market: a super thin 3D printed veneer solution aptly called UltraThineer. The veneers, reportedly the thinnest cosmetic dental veneer in the world, are made using BMF’s projection micro stereolithography (PµSL) technology and offer benefits to both patients and dental professionals. Now, BMF has revealed the results of a recent clinical case study, which show that the 3D printed veneers were successful at masking tooth staining caused by tetracycline without affecting the natural structure of the tooth.
Tetracycline is a group of commonly administered antibiotics, used to treat respiratory infections, acne and other bacteria-related illnesses. Among the side effects of taking the antibiotic is significant tooth staining and unfortunately, this staining is considered intrinsic. In other words, the stain is in the tooth’s enamel and can therefore be tricky to remove using conventional whitening treatments. Such had been the case for a 49-year-old patient of Dr. Tai Ha of Newport Beach Dental Studio, whose teeth had been stained since tetracycline use in her childhood.
For this patient, the dentist suggested the application of UltraThineer veneers, which could not only be easily customized to the patient’s teeth, but offered a non-invasive solution to the aesthetic problem. The process began with intraoral scanning to generate a 3D model of the patient’s mouth, on which the veneer designs were based. From there 20 veneers (10 upper and 10 lower) were 3D printed from an opaque zirconia ceramic using BMF’s PµSL technology. After this digital workflow, the ultra-thin veneers (measuring just 0.12mm in thickness) were placed on the patient’s teeth using a no-prep adhesive protocol. Following the non-invasive procedure, the patient reported a high level of satisfaction with the new smile.
Unlike traditional veneer application, which typically requires the removal of a thin layer of enamel (a process itself that can necessitate the use of local anesthetic), UltraThineer leaves the tooth completely in tact. On top of that, while conventional veneers are often made by hand by skilled technicians, UltraThineer are made using a digital workflow, which can also contribute to reduced preparation times for dental professionals. Another benefit is related to the level of thinness that can be achieved using micro-precision 3D printing, with a uniform thickness as thin as 80μm for veneers, whereas conventional veneers can be as thick as 500μm.
“UltraThineer’s ability to deliver ultra-thin, highly opaque zirconia veneers—just 0.12mm thick—allowed us to completely mask the staining with no enamel reduction,” said Dr. Ha of the 49-year-old patient. “The aesthetic result exceeded the patient’s expectations while preserving 100% of her natural teeth.”
In this case, the goal was—as Dr. Ha says—driven by aesthetics to mask serious staining. BMF’s UltraThineer veneers can, however, also have other benefits, with the strong zirconia ceramic helping to strengthen and protect the tooth from wear and cold acid stimulation. Moreover, if the veneers need to be removed or replaced, it is possible to do so using an erbium laser, which does not harm the tooth’s enamel.
“UltraThineer 3D printed zirconia veneers offer a clinically effective and [aesthetically] favorable solution for managing tetracycline-induced intrinsic discoloration,” reads the case study’s conclusion. This treatment modality is particularly well-suited for patients seeking a conservative approach with the option for future reversibility. The material’s unique combination of high masking ability, minimal tooth preparation requirements and laser de-bondability makes it a compelling choice for preserving natural tooth structure while achieving significant [aesthetic] improvement and maintaining long-term oral health.
