TrollDental additive manufacturing

Purpose and goal

Dental x-ray is used for preventative purposes, for example to discover caries. Sensor holders for this procedure should be adapted to facilitate the procedure by offering high patient comfort and precise positioning. In case of trauma or special cases, the prerequisite for placing the sensor correctly is usually not optimal. Hence many requests for specially adapted sensor holders. The aim was, with increased knowledge of additive manufacturing, to be able to realize the production of customized products for the dental care, which results in improved treatment.

Expected results and effects

The result of the project is an increased knowledge of additive manufacturing and the properties of products made by additive manufacturing. Developed prototypes have been evaluated and the result shows that there are additive manufacturing methods and materials that are likely to be useful for the intended products for dental care. This knowledge will be used to create a product and manufacturing concept to enable the production of customized products that can provide improved treatment results in dental care.

Planned approach and implementation

The project was carried out together with RISE and suppliers of technology and materials. The requirements were established, and the market was inventoried regarding available production methods and materials. Manufacturing methods and materials were analysed and the prerequisites for meeting the requirements for the product were assessed. Some combinations of production methods and materials were estimated to have the ability to meet the requirements. Prototypes were developed with the chosen methods and materials and these have been evaluated by practical tests.