3D Printed Expanders

In recent years, the contributions of technology to the practice of orthodontics have increased at an ever-quickening pace. Three-dimensional printing is one of the cutting-edge technologies in the manufacturing industry. Three-dimensional printing technology is an additive manufacturing technology that is used to reconstruct 3D objects. In the last decade, it has been rapidly involved in dentistry and orthodontics. In orthodontics, expanders are used to expand and widen the upper arch to correct a crossbite or issues like overcrowding or a narrow palate. Traditional expanders were made of metal and acrylic, but 3D printing has introduced a more precise and customisable option. With 3D printing, orthodontists can create expanders tailored to each patient's unique oral anatomy. Using digital scans or impressions, a detailed model of the patient's mouth is generated.

Autorentext
Kelvin Ninan is a postgraduate student at D.J. College of Dental Science and Research in the department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, under the guidance of Vaibhav Misra. He is a member of Indian Orthodontic Society.