Home › Guides › Top 5 3D Printers for Your Dental Practice or Lab
3D Printing Basics and Understanding Market Terms Patient-specific solutions have become more prominent within the past few years in dentistry; because there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for dental restorations. Many dentists and dental labs have come to resort to tech and savvy ways of treatments. 3D printers provide an ideal fit for dentistry because it allows dentists to make surgical guides, crowns, implants, and trays quickly and cheaply. 3D printers remove the alginate impression process and replace that process with intraoral scanners, which create a digital impression file of the patient’s mouth, which can be uploaded into any software and then printed right then and there. 3D printers have, in recent years, become more affordable for all clinicians, creating new treatment plans for all patients.
Yet amid all the exciting developments in 3D printing, finding the right 3D printer for your practice can be tedious and vexing. Investing in a 3D printer requires a deep consideration into its parts and knowing what you desire from your office workflow. By understanding the components of any 3D printer you see on the market, you can gain a deep appreciation for the technology out there and know what you want in return.
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3D Printer Basics 3D printers require accuracy, speed, and ease to be effective in any office setting. Today, 3D printers operate with three different technologies that influence dental practices: Stereolithography (SLA) and Digital Light Processing (DLP).
Stereolithography – SLA uses a laser beam across a print area, using liquid resin and solidifying it in specific areas to form and design. SLA printers direct the UV laser to the correct x and y coordinates to trace out the cross-section model, keeping the laser in constant motion and making it more suitable for printing multiple, large intricate parts in one go. SLA laser lights, however, are typically more expensive to replace and make the machine more expensive as a result.Low Force Stereolithography – A newer category of stereolithography, LFS reduces the strain of peeling the model from the resin tank by creating a more flexible tank and a scalable light processing unit. The tank contains film which bows gradually to reduce pressure built up during the extraction process. The LPU uses lights and mirrors to control the linear illumination of the laser light, directing it opposite of the building plane for more accurate parts.Digital Light Processing – DLP incorporates the same mechanics as SLAs and LFS but instead uses a digital processor as a light source to solidify the resin. The digital processor remains stationary and cures the resin a layer at a time. This creates a faster printing time and allows the operator to control the intensity of the light source on the resin. Because of its simpler design, the light source can be more easily replaced and costs less.Fused Deposition Modeling – Also known as an extrusion process, or FDM for short, FDM produces dental applications at a reliable rate by extruding melted filaments layer by layer and fusing them together, giving it a wide versatility with materials and a bigger budget. However, due to it being the most common form of 3d printing, it’s also the least accurate and requires more post-processing to fix imperfections. When evaluating 3D printers, understanding how the light source works in each model is the key to finding the best 3D printer for your practice. Laser SLAs tend to draw the lines with the light. LFS printers minimize the laser spot size when producing the product, and draw the model in smaller increments for more consistent accuracy. DLP printers use the projector screen to draw the layers by pixels, and the smaller the pixel size, the more accurate the end result is. Most modern printers have an intuitive design to them thanks to company’s and their reliable customer services, such as software tools, automatic resin dispensers, and even their own select solutions to wash off the solvent from the resin.
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1. Pro95 Printer by SprintRay Product Description
The Pro95 Printer by SprintRay is a high-performance 3D printer designed specifically for dental applications. With more than twice the printing capacity of its predecessor, the MoonRay S, it allows dental professionals and lab technicians to produce multiple appliances in a single build with enhanced precision and ease.
Product Overview This printer features cloud-connected software that automates workflows and simplifies the printing process, reducing the learning curve for new users. The integrated DLP projector and a print volume of 190 x 100 x 200 mm offer substantial output, while the minimum feature size of 95 microns ensures fine, detailed results. Its STEM (Selectively Textured Elastomeric Membrane) tank technology reduces resin adhesion for smoother, more reliable prints.
Key Features Over double the capacity of the MoonRay S
Common Applications Printing dental models and appliances
Technical Specifications Manufacturer: SprintRay
Product Type: Dental 3D Printer
Build Volume: 190 x 100 x 200 mm
Minimum Feature Size: 95 microns
Tank Technology: Selectively Textured Elastomeric Membrane (STEM)
Connectivity: Cloud-connected software
Safety: Magnetic lock sensors
Compatibility: Multiple resin types
Customer Ratings Rating: 4.9 out of 5 (Based on verified reviews)
Customer Feedback Exceptionally accurate results
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2. SolFlex 170 by Voco Dental Product Description The SolFlex 170 by Voco Dental is a compact, high-efficiency 3D printer tailored for orthodontic practices. Engineered for speed and precision, it includes intelligent sensor technology to monitor and adjust peeling forces during the printing process, significantly reducing overall print time by up to 40%.
Product Overview Utilizing advanced DLP technology with a 385 nm chip, the SolFlex 170 produces dental appliances with high clarity, removing yellow tinting common in other printers. Its silicone-based Flex-Vat build tray reduces peeling forces and minimizes the need for excessive support structures, streamlining workflow and improving output quality. The system’s open print standard ensures compatibility with a wide range of materials and includes Voco’s Pyramis software for optimized control.
Key Features Sensor-monitored laser optimizes peeling forces
Common Applications Orthodontic appliance fabricationClear aligners and dental models
Technical Specifications Manufacturer: Voco Dental
Product Type: Dental 3D Printer
Technology: Digital Light Processing (DLP)
Light Source: 385 nm chip
Build Tray: Flex-Vat silicone tray
Print Optimization: Sensor-monitored peeling force adjustment
Software: Pyramis included
Material Compatibility: Open print standard
Customer Ratings Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (Based on verified reviews)
Customer Feedback Remarkably fast print speed
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3. Connex3 Objet260 by Stratasys Product Description The Connex3 Objet260 by Stratasys is a highly versatile 3D printer designed to streamline dental and laboratory workflows using advanced PolyJet technology. It is capable of printing three different materials simultaneously, allowing for complex, multi-material dental models and prototypes to be produced in a single print job.
Product Overview Using a material jetting process, the Objet260 deposits photopolymer droplets and instantly cures them with UV light, layer by layer. The printer features multiple print heads that also jet a gel-like support material to improve surface finish and minimize peeling. With its ability to handle hundreds of material combinations—ranging in color, rigidity, and translucency—it’s a go-to solution for detailed and realistic dental appliance modeling.
Key Features PolyJet technology allows multi-material printing
Common Applications Multi-material dental model creation
Technical Specifications Manufacturer: Stratasys
Product Type: PolyJet 3D Printer
Technology: Material Jetting with UV curing
Material Capacity: Prints three materials simultaneously
Support Material: Gel-based support for enhanced surface quality
Build Axis: X-axis multi-head printing
Software: Dedicated proprietary software included
Material Compatibility: Hundreds of rigid, flexible, and translucent options
Customer Ratings Rating: 4.9 out of 5 (Based on verified reviews)
Customer Feedback Incredible material flexibility and detail
4. R. Pod by Arfona Product Description The R. Pod by Arfona is a fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer specifically designed for dental applications, particularly the production of Valplast flexible nylon partial dentures. It offers an economical alternative to traditional dental manufacturing by utilizing widely available and cost-effective plastic filaments.
Product Overview Engineered to maximize accuracy while minimizing material costs, the R. Pod focuses on the efficient extrusion of layers to create smooth and functional dental appliances. Its compatibility with FDA-approved Valplast resin ensures clinical reliability and flexibility in dental prosthetic production, making it ideal for practices and labs seeking low-cost, high-output 3D printing.
Key Features Uses fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology
Common Applications Fabricating flexible partial dentures
Technical Specifications Manufacturer: Arfona
Product Type: Dental FDM 3D Printer
Technology: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Material Compatibility: Valplast and other filament-based resins
Material Focus: Cost-effective plastic filament extrusion
Application Focus: Partial dentures and flexible appliances
Customer Ratings Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (Based on verified reviews)
Customer Feedback Perfect for Valplast denture production
5. Form 3 by Formlabs Product Description The Form 3 by Formlabs is a next-generation dental 3D printer that utilizes Low Force Stereolithography (LFS) to improve surface quality, precision, and ease of post-processing. As the successor to the Form 2, it introduces advancements in laser power, XY resolution, and build reliability—ideal for producing dental models and appliances with high accuracy.
Product Overview The Form 3 features a flexible film at the base of its resin tank to reduce peel forces, resulting in smoother surfaces and smaller support structures. Its Light Processing Unit (LPU) moves along the x-axis, delivering even exposure across the entire build plane. While some models may vary in build volume and resin compatibility, the Form 3 is optimized for clinics and labs focused on precision, efficiency, and repeatability.
Key Features Low Force Stereolithography (LFS) for enhanced print quality
Common Applications Dental model production
Technical Specifications Manufacturer: Formlabs
Product Type: LFS 3D Printer
Technology: Low Force Stereolithography (LFS)
Laser System: Precision LPU with XY-axis movement
Tank Base: Flexible film to minimize peel force
Resolution: Enhanced XY resolution compared to Form 2
Material Compatibility: Varies by Form 3 model
Customer Ratings Rating: 4.8 out of 5 (Based on verified reviews)
Customer Feedback Produces smooth, accurate dental models
