Quick3D Choose a material for dental and medical parts
How biocompatibility claims work, why they cover a validated workflow rather than a material, and how to approach dental and medical printing.
Dental labs and clinics print models, surgical guides, splints, trays and temporary restorations every day. Medical teams print anatomical models and device prototypes. These are some of the most valuable uses of 3D printing. They are also the most regulated. This guide explains the principles. It is not regulatory advice, and it cannot tell you that any printed part is biocompatible.
Key takeaways
- Dental and medical printing is valuable but highly regulated, and this guide is not regulatory advice.
- Residual uncured resin is the biggest risk, so wash and cure exactly as the instructions say.
- Biocompatibility claims apply only to the tested workflow and the type and duration of contact tested.
- If you make a device, you are responsible for validating your process and meeting local regulations.
What actually goes wrong
- Incomplete washing or curing. Residual uncured resin is the biggest risk. It can irritate tissue and cause sensitisation.
- Wrong workflow. Biocompatibility test results apply to parts made on specific printers, with specific wash, cure and finishing steps. Change any step and the result may no longer apply.
- Dimensional error. A surgical guide that is slightly out holds a drill in the wrong place.
- Sterilisation damage. Heat, steam or chemicals can warp, crack or weaken a part.
- Ageing. Some resins change colour or properties when stored, or when exposed to light.
Watch out
A resin’s test results only hold for the workflow it was tested with. Changing the printer, wash, cure or finishing step can mean they no longer apply.
What biocompatibility claims mean
When a manufacturer says a resin meets parts of ISO 10993 or USP Class VI, it means test parts made following their instructions passed those specific tests, such as cytotoxicity, sensitisation or irritation.
What a test claim covers
Each test covers a particular type and duration of body contact. A claim for short skin contact does not cover long-term contact inside the mouth.
What a quality system covers
Some materials are also made under a medical quality system such as ISO 13485 or registered as a medical device in certain regions. That covers how the material is made. It does not make your printed part compliant. If you make a medical or dental device, you are responsible for validating your process and meeting your local regulations.
Which properties matter
Beyond the regulatory paperwork, read the datasheet as for any part. Flexural strength and flexural modulus matter for splints and dentures that are loaded in bending. Elongation at break tells you whether a night guard will flex or crack. Heat deflection temperature tells you whether a guide will survive heat-based sterilisation. Shore hardness matters for soft tissue models and gingiva masks.
Material families that usually work
- Dental and medical resins made for a stated indication, such as surgical guides, splints, denture bases or crowns. Use each only for its listed indication.
- Model resins for study models and anatomical models that do not contact patients.
- Elastomeric medical resins for soft tissue models and some flexible device parts.
- PA11 and PA12 powders are used for some orthotics, prosthetic parts and device housings, where the grade and process are validated.
Process considerations
Resin printing (SLA, DLP and LCD) dominates dental work because of its accuracy and smooth surfaces. Many dental resins are validated only on certain printers and curing units. Powder printing suits larger device parts. FFF is mostly used for models and non-contact prototypes.
Post-processing and sterilisation caveats
- Follow the instructions for use exactly: wash solvent, wash time, drying, cure time, cure temperature and light source.
- Use fresh wash solvent. Saturated solvent leaves residue behind.
- Check sterilisation compatibility. Only use methods the manufacturer has validated for that resin, and check dimensions afterwards.
- Keep records of material batch, printer, settings and post-processing for each part.
A shortlist from our data
Our catalog lists 58 specialty resins. That group includes dental and medical grades as well as other purpose-made resins, such as castable ones. Use the searches below to narrow it down, then open each material to read its stated indications and certifications.
Common mistakes
- Calling a part biocompatible because the resin bottle says so.
- Using a resin outside its listed indications.
- Changing the wash or cure step to save time.
- Sterilising with a method the resin was not tested for.
Search materials with biocompatibility claims