Introduction to 3D Printing in Dentistry

Introduction to 3D Printing in Dentistry is organized by University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Dentistry and will be held on Sep 03, 2026 at Brock's Gap Brewing Company, Hoover, Alabama, United States of America.

Description:
This lecture-based session provides a practical introduction to the digital workflow for 3D printing dental models, occlusal splints, and crowns. The presentation will review the complete process from acquiring STL files to final post-processing for splints and models. Attendees will learn how occlusal splints are digitally designed from intraoral scans, how models are oriented and based for printing, and how files are prepared and nested within 3D printing software. The course will compare commonly used materials, highlighting differences in mechanical and optical properties. Key post-processing steps, including washing, light-curing, and finishing, will be discussed with an emphasis on how these variables influence material properties. All protocols presented are based on several years of independent research conducted at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, with a focus on workflows achievable using free design software and affordable desktop printers.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the digital workflow for fabricating 3D-printed dental models and occlusal splints from STL files.
2. Identify key factors involved in model orientation, basing, and file preparation for 3D printing.
3. Compare desktop 3D printed materials with respect to mechanical and optical properties.
4. Discuss post-processing steps—washing, curing, and finishing—and their impact on properties.