3D Printing

What does in-office 3D printing mean for me?

It starts with a quick digital scan of your teeth instead of a tray of impression material. We design your restoration from that scan, and our 3D printers make it in the office, so you don’t have to wait for it to come back from a lab. In many cases, your crown, night guard, or other printed piece is ready the same day. Dentures typically take about 24 hours. Your dentist will confirm your timeline at your visit.

What do you print in the office?

We print crowns, partial crowns (inlays and onlays), temporary crowns, night guards, surgical guides that help plan implant placement, and dentures.

What are printed crowns made of?

For crowns and other permanent restorations, we use SprintRay’s Midas printer and ceramic-filled resins made for it: Crown HT and Midas Restore. In plain language, these are tooth-colored materials packed with fine ceramic particles. SprintRay reports more than 60% ceramic filler in Crown HT, and more than 75% glass ceramic and zirconia in Midas Restore. Both are FDA-cleared for permanent crowns, inlays, onlays, and veneers, and both come in a range of tooth shades so your restoration can be matched to your smile.

Midas prints differently from a typical 3D printer. It uses a pressing process SprintRay calls Digital Press Stereolithography, which lets it print these thick, ceramic-heavy materials that a conventional 3D printer can’t handle.

How does it fit into my visit?

We scan your teeth, design your restoration on screen, print it, and finish it in the office. Then we check the fit and your bite, polish it, and place it. Not every case is right for a printed restoration. When a lab-made crown or another option would serve you better, we’ll tell you why and plan around it.

Wondering whether a same-day crown is an option for you? Book a complimentary consultation with a 3D scan at St. Johns Smile Co. Call (904) 807-5660 or request a visit online. Financing through CareCredit and Cherry is available.