Dental 3D Printing 2025: Which Resin Suits Which Indication?

Meisterstück Dental  ·  Expert Knowledge for Dental Technology Laboratories and Dental Practices

In just a few years, dental 3D printing has evolved from a niche topic to an integral part of the modern dental laboratory. Splints, models, surgical guides, trays, temporaries – all of these can now be printed quickly, precisely, and economically. The crucial question is no longer whether to print, but with which resin.

Because the material makes the difference: Not every resin is suitable for every indication. Using a model resin for surgical guides would be just as incorrect as using a splint resin for crown models. We explain which resin is made for which purpose.

 

1. Overview of Printing Technologies

Before we get to the materials, a quick look at the printing technologies – because the resin must match the printer:

SLA (Stereolithography)

A UV laser precisely cures liquid resin point by point. High print volume, excellent surface quality, wide material variety. Well-known example: Formlabs Form 4B / Form 4BL.

Strengths: Largest print volume, best material range, extensive practical experience

DLP (Digital Light Processing)

A digital projector exposes the entire layer at once – faster than SLA, very high precision. Widely used in high-performance laboratory systems like Rapidshape.

Strengths: High speed, very precise, ideal for series production

MSLA (Masked SLA / LCD)

UV LEDs are masked by an LCD screen – the most cost-effective technology with very good quality. Used by Formlabs (Form 4B) and many entry-level devices.

Strengths: Best value for money, uniform layer exposure, compact

 

2. Indications and the Suitable Resin

Model Resin – Precision for the Dental Technician

The most frequently printed material in the dental laboratory. Model resins must be dimensionally stable, fracture-resistant, and easy to process. They are used for crown models, die models, aligner models, and orthodontic study models.

–     Opaque variants: Ideal for preparation margins – high contrast facilitates work

–     Matte surface (e.g., optiprint mattec): Gypsum-like feel, very popular in German laboratories

–     Die models: Require high layer precision – 50 µm layer height recommended

–     Aligner models: 100 µm layer height sufficient, high throughput more important than maximum detail

 

Splint Resin – Strength and Biocompatibility

Bite splints, night guards, and orthodontic retainers are worn directly in the patient's mouth – therefore, biocompatibility is mandatory here. The resin must also be fracture-resistant and hard enough to withstand chewing forces.

–     Biocompatibility: ISO 10993 / EN ISO 20795 – always ensure certification

–     Hardness: Too soft resin breaks, too hard is uncomfortable – medium Shore hardness is optimal

–     optiprint durotec: High mechanical strength, specifically developed for splints

–     Formlabs Dental LT Clear Resin: Proven for long-term splints up to 18 months

 

Surgical Guide Resin – Transparency and Sterilizability

Surgical guides must be sterilizable, dimensionally stable under heat, and transparent – so the surgeon can control their position. The standard is a clear, biocompatible resin with high heat deflection temperature.

–     Transparency: Allows visual control during implantation

–     Sterilizability: Must withstand autoclaving or cold sterilization

–     Formlabs Surgical Guide Resin: The gold standard – biocompatible, transparent, autoclavable

–     optiprint IBT / guide: Specifically validated for surgical guide applications

Temporary Resin – Aesthetics and Short Wearing Time

Temporary crowns and bridges from the 3D printer are ideal for the transitional phase between preparation and definitive restoration. Wearing times range from a few weeks to up to 12 months, depending on the material.

–     Shades: Available in VITA shade system – A1, A2, A3, BL, etc.

–     Formlabs Temporary CB Resin: Up to 12 months intraoral, 7-unit bridges possible, 5 shades

–     Aesthetics: Significantly better than conventional chairside PMMA temporaries from cartridges

–     Post-processing: Polishing significantly improves aesthetics and surface hygiene

Gingiva Resin – Flexible and Natural

Flexible gingival masks give the laboratory model a realistic gingival feel – indispensable for implant cases and high-quality prosthetic work. The material is thermoelastic and mimics the resistance of natural gum tissue.

–     optiprint gingiva: The most commonly used gingiva resin in German laboratories

–     Flexibility: Soft Shore hardness, permanently color- and dimensionally stable

Tray Resin – Economical and Fast

Individual impression trays from the 3D printer are faster, more precise, and more hygienic than conventional trays. The resin must be stable enough to withstand the pressure during impression taking.

–     Simple model resin: Often sufficient for individual trays

–     Special tray resins: Higher stiffness, better suited for full arches

3. Resin Indication Table at a Glance

 

Indication	Property	Biocompatible	Example Resin	Printer Compatibility
Crown models	Opaque, precise, matt	Not mandatory	optiprint mattec, FL Model	All SLA/DLP/MSLA
Aligner models	Stable, inexpensive, fast	Not mandatory	optiprint model	All SLA/DLP/MSLA
Occlusal splints	Hard, break-resistant	Yes (ISO 10993)	optiprint durotec, FL LT Clear	Validated Printer
Drilling templates	Transparent, sterilizable	Yes (Class IIa)	FL Surgical Guide, optiprint guide	Validated Printer
Temporaries	Tooth-colored, aesthetic	Yes (Class IIa)	FL Temporary CB	Validated Printer
Gingival masks	Flexible, pink	Not mandatory	optiprint gingiva	All SLA/DLP
Individual trays	Rigid, dimensionally stable	Not mandatory	Model Resin / Tray Resin	All SLA/DLP/MSLA
Casting technology	Burn-out without residue	No	optiprint cast nf	All SLA/DLP

4. Post-processing — the underestimated step

The printing process itself is only half the battle. The quality of the final product largely depends on post-processing:

Washing

After printing, all parts must be washed in isopropyl alcohol (IPA, 99%) to remove uncured resin. Automatic washing machines (e.g., Formlabs Form Wash, SprintRay ProWash) are significantly more efficient in laboratory daily operations than manual washing.

Post-curing

UV post-curing fully hardens the material and stabilizes mechanical properties. For biocompatible applications, complete curing is mandatory. Special post-curing ovens (Form Cure, ProCure) with defined cycles ensure reproducible results.

Polishing

Especially for splints and temporaries, polishing significantly improves surface smoothness, appearance, and hygiene. Matte surfaces of model resins can be left as is.

 

5. Cost per indication — what is worthwhile?

 

Indication	Material costs/unit (approx.)	Printing time (approx.)	Post-processing	Worth it from
Crown model	€0.50 – 1.50	15–30 min	Wash, cure	Immediately
Aligner model	€0.30 – 0.80	10–20 min	Wash, cure	Immediately
Bite splint	€2.00 – 5.00	30–60 min	Wash, cure, polish	From 5/week
Drill guide	€3.00 – 8.00	20–45 min	Wash, cure, sterilize	From 2/week
Temporary (crown)	€1.50 – 4.00	20–40 min	Wash, cure, polish	From 3/week
Gingival mask	€1.00 – 2.50	20–40 min	Wash, cure	From 3/week
Individual tray	0.50 – 1.50 €	15–25 min	Washing, Curing	Immediate

6. Conclusion: The Right Resin for Every Task

The key to successful 3D printing in the dental lab lies in choosing the right material. Using the appropriate resin for each indication allows for better, faster, and legally compliant production.

Our recommendation for getting started: With an all-round model resin and a validated splint resin, most labs are well-equipped for 80% of their 3D printing indications. Surgical guide resin and provisional resin can be added depending on specialization.