"We have increased productivity and gained the ability to provide many new restoration types to attract more orders.", Siebe van der Zel, Oratio B.V.
Dental implants have been used successfully for many years to restore missing teeth. Until recently however, the placement of dental implants involved an invasive and time-consuming surgical procedure. Placement was based on guesswork and not enough planning and thought was given to future functional longevity and cosmetics. 3D printing makes it possible for dental implants to replace missing teeth with pinpoint accuracy, minimum discomfort and beautiful cosmetics. Many laboratory professionals have discovered that 3D printing of dental models is faster, more economical, more predictable and more accurate.
The Challenge
Located in the Netherlands, Oratio B.V. was one of the pioneers of CAD/CAM design technology for producing dental restorations straight from CAD design imagery.
The company needed a 3D printer that could improve throughput without compromising its high standards and without costly expansion of the company's technician staff and facilities.
The Solution
With its new Objet Eden260VTM 3D Printer, Oratio deliver models faster at a lower cost than was possible with CNC milling technology. The Objet 3D Printer produces models with exceptionally fine details and an outstanding surface finish, ensuring the high degree of accuracy required by Oratio's customers. The Objet 3D Printer has enabled Oratio to introduce non-technicians into the manufacturing workflow, freeing up dental technicians to focus on higher-level tasks. As a result, lab technician productivity has improved.
The Value
"We have increased productivity and gained the ability to produce many new restoration types to attract more orders," said Siebe van der Zel, Oratio's chief operating officer. We believe that our clients prefer to do all their CAD/CAM business in one place. So we need to offer the widest spectrum of dental indications. We are adamant about fulfilling our promises, thus we want control of the complete process – from the dentist's initial order, to designing the restoration, through final manufacturing.
By adopting the Objet 3D Printer, Oratio has achieved a complete digital workflow for inhouse fabrication of models, abutments, coping, crowns and bridges of any size or combination.