3D-Printed Dental Implants Set for Clinical Trials, Promising 50% Cost Reduction

VCBeat has learned that at a recent 3D printing strategy symposium held at Beijing University of Technology, Professor Tang Zhihui from the Peking University School of Stomatology revealed that his team is conducting research under the National Key R&D Program titled “Research and Development of 3D-Printed Personalized Dental Implants.” In the future, 3D-printed dental implants are expected to significantly reduce surgical trauma, simplify the implantation procedure, shorten the treatment cycle to one to two hours, and cut costs by half.

The adoption of 3D printing technology in the dental industry is growing year by year. Currently, 3D-printed dentures on the market are primarily manufactured using Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology, which selectively melts metal powder to build up structures layer by layer. EnvisionTEC, one of the top three manufacturers of 3D printers and materials in this field, claims that sales of its dental 3D printers have increased by 75% compared to last year, with no signs of slowing down. 3D printing technology enables patients, dentists, and dental laboratories to exercise greater control in many aspects. For instance, for patients, it can shorten the turnaround time for replacing dental components, ensure better fit of the prosthetics, and achieve greater cost savings.

Due to tooth loss, many people have a need for dental implants, making this the largest patient group in dentistry after orthodontics. However, the treatment cycle lasts at least six months, and costs often exceed tens of thousands of yuan, deterring many potential patients. Statistical data show that global dental implant usage reached approximately 18 million units in 2015, while China accounted for only 400,000 units, representing less than 3% of the total. A key reason for this disparity is the complexity of implantation techniques, coupled with the long-standing monopoly of foreign products in the implant market, which has kept prices high. Clearly, 3D printing technology is poised to disrupt the business model of dental implantology.

Tang Zhihui explained that when using traditional tapered cylindrical implants, the process involves minimally invasive tooth extraction, implant site preparation, bone grafting, coverage with a collagen membrane, submerged healing, second-stage surgery, crown fabrication, and placement. The treatment cycle typically takes approximately 6 to 8 months, with physician operating time amounting to around 8 hours, at a cost of about RMB 16,000 per implant. For complex cases, both the duration and costs increase further. Moreover, this approach has several drawbacks, including poor fit between the implant and the extraction socket, the need for bone augmentation in immediate post-extraction implantation, and difficulties in achieving immediate restoration.

Tang Zhihui’s research team is developing 3D-printed, patient-specific anatomical root-form dental implants. To date, they have developed software for processing oral cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) image data and designing implant morphology. They have conducted in-depth studies on the manufacturing precision, biomechanics, surface treatment, and osseointegration rates in animal models of these 3D-printed anatomical root-form implants. Having completed relevant preclinical testing and animal experiments, the team is poised to enter the clinical research phase.

Researchers have found that using 3D-printed, personalized anatomical root-form implants requires only minimally invasive tooth extraction, implant placement, and crown restoration. The chairside treatment cycle takes one to two hours, with physician operation time limited to just half an hour. Furthermore, costs are significantly reduced, potentially being kept within 8,000 yuan.

Tang Zhihui stated that the research team’s goal is to use domestically produced equipment and materials to 3D-print dental implants with independent Chinese intellectual property rights, and patient clinical trials are about to commence. In the future, if this technology is widely adopted in hospitals, dental implantation will see significant improvements in cost, expenses, treatment time, and patient comfort.