Technology

3D Dental Printing in Bel Air, MD: Precision Manufacturing Right Here in Our Office

3D printing has moved from industrial manufacturing into clinical dentistry, and the impact on treatment precision is significant. At Elevated Smiles Dentistry in Bel Air, MD, our in-office 3D printing capability allows Dr. Joshua Englander to produce surgical guides, diagnostic models, and temporary restorations directly from digital scan data, cutting production time from days to hours and improving accuracy at every stage.

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How Is 3D Printing Used in Dentistry?

Dental 3D printing uses photopolymer resins and stereolithography or digital light processing technology to build objects layer by layer from a digital file. In our office, the most common applications are surgical implant guides, which are custom devices that fit over the teeth and precisely direct the implant drill to the planned angle, depth, and position during surgery, diagnostic models for patient education and treatment planning, custom trays for impressions, whitening, and fluoride delivery, and temporary crowns or bridges that protect prepared teeth while permanent restorations are being fabricated.

How Does 3D Printing Improve Implant Surgery?

The most clinically significant use of 3D printing at Elevated Smiles is the production of guided surgical templates for dental implant placement. After cone beam CT imaging maps the bone volume and nerve anatomy, Dr. Englander designs a virtual implant plan on screen. A surgical guide is then printed that fits precisely over the patient’s teeth and directs the drill to exactly the planned location. Guided implant surgery reduces surgery time, improves implant position accuracy, minimizes trauma to surrounding structures, and produces more predictable aesthetic and functional outcomes than freehand placement.

What Materials Are Used in Dental 3D Printing?

Dental 3D printers use biocompatible photopolymer resins formulated specifically for intraoral use. These materials are certified safe for contact with oral tissues and comply with FDA clearance requirements. Different resin formulations are used for different applications: clear resins for surgical guides and trays, tooth-colored resins for temporary crowns, and high-detail resins for diagnostic models. The materials do not replace the ceramics and metals used in permanent restorations but are highly functional for the temporary and preparatory applications where they are used.

Frequently Asked Questions About 3D Dental Printing

Is a 3D-printed surgical guide used for all implant placements at Elevated Smiles?

Dr. Englander uses guided surgery for cases where precision is critical, particularly for multiple implants, cases near important anatomical structures, and full arch rehabilitations. Single straightforward implants in areas with ample bone may not always require a printed guide.

Can 3D-printed restorations be used permanently?

Current dental 3D printing resins are approved for temporary use only. Permanent restorations are still made from ceramics and metals fabricated by CAD/CAM milling or dental labs. 3D-printed temporaries are excellent for protecting teeth during the fabrication process.

How long does it take to 3D print something in the office?

Most objects take between 30 minutes and a few hours to print depending on size and detail level. A surgical guide for a single implant is typically ready within one to two hours. Post-print processing and fitting adds additional time.

Does 3D printing add extra cost to my treatment?

The cost of printed components like surgical guides is typically included in the procedure fee. We will provide a full cost breakdown at your treatment planning appointment before any work begins.

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    Dr. Joshua Englander, DDS

    Page written and reviewed by:

    Dr. Joshua Englander, DDS

    Doctor of Dental Surgery · Elevated Smiles Dentistry, Bel Air, MD · Last reviewed: July 2026