Dental practices are increasingly adopting advanced technologies, and Industrial 3D Printing is already transforming traditional dental workflows. With faster, more precise production, patients no longer need to wait weeks for crowns, veneers, or complex dental restorations. 3D printing reduces time-to-market, lowers costs, and opens new opportunities for patient involvement and customisation.
New Technology, New Possibilities
Just as smartphones revolutionised everyday communication, 3D printing is redefining dental production. By combining 3D scanning, advanced software, and Industrial 3D Printing, dental professionals can now create high-quality, patient-specific solutions on-site and on-demand.
For dental patients, this means shorter wait times, more accurate results, and greater influence over the aesthetics of their treatment. In the U.S., this concept is often referred to as “Same-Day Dentistry” — allowing patients to leave the clinic with their final solution in a single visit.
3Shape’s Vision
Founded in 2000, 3Shape is a Danish growth company providing digital dental solutions worldwide. The company develops intraoral scanners, software, and digital workflows that simplify complex dental tasks. Today, 3Shape employs over 1,500 people globally.
“Combined with third-party 3D printers, 3Shape’s intraoral scanners and software solutions reduce time and distance, making advanced dental care faster, more affordable, and more patient-centric.”
— David Fischer, Director of R&D Software at 3Shape
By integrating 3D printing into dental workflows, 3Shape enables clinics to produce accurate, high-quality dental restorations faster than ever.
Collaboration with Prototal
3Shape collaborates closely with Prototal’s facility in Denmark, developing sophisticated 3D-printed solutions across multiple industries, including dental technology.
This collaboration focuses on:
- Rapid prototyping for accelerated development cycles
- High-quality 3D-printed dental models and tools
- Small-batch production for faster iteration and testing
“Our partnership with Prototal has accelerated our innovation process. We can now rapidly prototype new dental tools and solutions, allowing our designers to create more sophisticated and precise instruments,” says David Fischer.
AI and 3D Printing: The Future of Dentistry
3Shape sees enormous potential in combining 3D printing with artificial intelligence (AI). AI integration into dental scanning automatically suggests optimal solutions for individual patients, improving workflow efficiency for dental professionals and enabling more precise, customised care.
“AI combined with 3D printing allows us to develop new solutions that increase efficiency for dentists while enhancing patient outcomes,” Fischer explains.
Key Benefits of 3Shape’s 3D Printing Collaboration
- Faster Prototyping – Rapid iteration of dental models and tools
- Reduced Time-to-Market – Patients receive faster treatment
- Enhanced Customization – Tailored solutions for individual patients
- Cost Efficiency – Lower production costs compared to traditional workflows
- Innovation and AI Integration – Smarter, more effective dental solutions
