Charleston 3D Innovation Lab paves way in VA dental care

“Digital Dentistry” involves providing Veterans with much needed dentures, through 3D printing in house instead of normal production processes. Because the dentures are being 3D printed on site, this allows for the capability to greatly speed up response times for Veterans when it comes to getting their dentures. This will also be a massive cost saving initiative. In the past 2 years, the Charleston VA has ordered 151 dentures at roughly $3,000 each. Switching to fully 3D printed dentures, at roughly $60 each is a cost savings of $284,000.

The 3D dentures are printed using an FDA biocompatible resin known as Lucitone which in recent years has become the dental industry “gold standard” in 3D print production of dentures. They will be made available to a wide range of Veterans with Charleston’s 3D Innovation Lab scheduled to fulfill orders from VA health care systems across the country. 3D-printed dentures will last just as long as traditionally made dentures, with good care extending their 5-to-10-year lifespan.

“With this process we reduced turn-around time,” said Nicole Beitenman, Ralph H. Johnson VA HCS, Charleston 3D Innovation Lab team lead. “Less appointments are needed for the end product, and we own the file, so if a denture is lost or broken, we can replace them the same day.”

After presenting their skills at a dental summit held in January to VA dentists, Beitenman was able to demonstrate the capabilities that digital dentistry could offer America’s Veterans. This has led to the establishment of a 3D printing program specifically geared towards dental care for Veterans.

“We have been utilizing our printing group for almost a year now,” said Ryne Johnson, Ralph H. Johnson VA HCS chief of dental. “We’ve gained better quality control and faster turnaround which translates into better customer service. Overall, it’s provided better quality, more-predictable outcomes, less cost, and faster turnaround.”

The 3D print production of dentures was first established in 2015, with digital scanning technology and 3D printing technology combined to create the first digital denture. Since then, the technology has continued to expand and become more reliable for both dental professionals and their patients. With the VA jumping on board Beitenman believes they will be able to meet Veterans needs more effectively and efficiently.

“Digital dentistry is really becoming the standard across the dental industry,” said Beitenman, “It is now being taught in dental school to new dentists. By doing things digitally you’re able to get more accurate results. The resins being developed are advancing more and more rather than traditional acrylic. By keeping up with this trend, we are offering our patient’s the latest, most advanced technology on the market.”