A research project is looking at the opportunities offered by 3D printing in dentistry. There is great potential in the use of innovative materials and the integration of additional functionalities in dental prostheses that increase patient comfort. Additive manufacturing could make it possible to print significantly more complex implants immediately after a 3D scan of the oral cavity, thereby reducing waiting times. Additive processes could also be used, for example, to combine metal and plastic materials for improved aesthetics.
Another application scenario relates to functional enhancements, such as the direct integration of sensors into medical components. Sensitive sensors in additively manufactured knee or hip joints could detect inflammatory reactions after surgery by reacting to higher temperatures or changes in biomarkers. Lab-on-a-chip systems are also to be printed in the future, with which organ functions and processes in the human body can be displayed on a chip. This can be used for testing drugs, for example.
