Approaches to 3D printing teeth from X-ray microtomography.

Asa hilton Barber, Asa Hilton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Artificial teeth have several advantages in preclinical training. The aim of this study is to three-dimensionally (3D) print accurate artificial teeth using scans from X-ray microtomography (XMT). Extracted and artificial teeth were imaged at 90 kV and 40 kV, respectively, to create detailed high contrast scans. The dataset was visualised to produce internal and external meshes subsequently exported to 3D modelling software for modification before finally sending to a slicing program for printing. After appropriate parameter setting, the printer deposited material in specific locations layer by layer, to create a 3D physical model. Scans were manipulated to ensure a clean model was imported into the slicing software, where layer height replicated the high spatial resolution that was observed in the XMT scans. The model was then printed in two different materials (polylactic acid and thermoplastic elastomer). A multimaterial print was created to show the different physical characteristics between enamel and dentine.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)207-212
JournalJournal of Microscopy
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Jun 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • X-ray microtomography
  • Microscopy
  • dental materials
  • Additive manufacturing
  • 0912 Materials Engineering
  • 0204 Condensed Matter Physics
  • preclinical teaching
  • 0601 Biochemistry And Cell Biology

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