3D Systems Redefines Digital Dentistry and Enables Enhanced Patient Care

CHICAGO, Feb. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, at LMT Lab Day Chicago 2018 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD), whose technology enables production of the largest number of orthodontic aligners in the world, unveiled the NextDent™ 5100 and 18 new NextDent resins -- bringing the entire NextDent portfolio to 30 materials. These latest additions to the company's renowned 3D digital dentistry portfolio, which includes solutions for dental laboratories and clinics of all sizes, enable improvements in patient care while once again revolutionizing the dental workflow.

By incorporating the NextDent 5100 into their workflow, dental laboratories and clinics are able to address – for the first time - more indications with one solution. In the dental industry, indications are conditions that cause pain or discomfort and potentially endanger a patient's life or health. For example, if a person has advanced gum disease and has lost several teeth, this would be an indication for dental implants or perhaps dentures depending on the severity of the disease. With 3D Systems' NextDent solution, dental laboratories and clinics are able to produce dental devices at dramatically increased speed - up to 4x faster than other available solutions - while reducing material waste and capital equipment expenditure as well as reliance upon milling centers. Benefits also extend to the patient by reducing the time it takes to produce prosthodontics and orthodontics, as well as the number of required office visits. For example, by using the NextDent 5100 solution, dental labs can achieve a 70% - 80% decrease in the amount of time needed to produce dentures. Additionally, patients are expected to need to visit the dentist only twice, versus the four to five visits currently needed.

Traditional Dental Device Production – Labor Intensive and Susceptible to Errors
Production of prosthodontic and orthodontic devices via traditional manual methods is labor intensive, and vulnerable to potential human error. Referencing denture production as an example, there are roughly 14 hours of work in the lab required from casting of the first impression of a patient's mouth to delivery of the final denture. Additionally, models need to be shipped back and forth between the lab and the dentist's office where the patient will make an average of five visits to be fitted for the device. The process also results in significant material waste in the form of plaster and wax that is used in all iterations of the models working toward creation of the final product.

Precise, High-Speed 3D Printer, Compatible with 30 Different Resins
The NextDent 5100 is powered by 3D Systems' proprietary Figure 4™ technology, which facilitates high-speed 3D printing of dental devices and fixtures. The printer is compatible with industry-standard state-of-the-art intra-oral scanning and software solutions, delivering more precise results than conventional manual production techniques. This end-to-end digital workflow also provides higher and more predictable uptime, with a significant reduction in risk for the operator.

The NextDent 5100 is complemented by a portfolio of 30 unique NextDent resins – the largest number available from any dental material supplier. Offered in a variety of aesthetic colors, these materials enable dental labs and clinics to provide finished products that closely match the patient's own teeth and gums. All NextDent dental 3D printing materials are biocompatible and CE-certified, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. The materials are certified in accordance with medical device directive 93/42/EEC, listed at the FDA and also registered in various other countries.

"We're bringing a complete digital dentistry solution to the market – combining an unmatched materials portfolio with leading 3D printing technology, software and services," said Vyomesh Joshi, president and chief executive officer, 3D Systems. "We offer the industry's widest range of regulatory-approved 3D printing materials and technologies that allow dental labs and clinics of every size to drive precision, productivity, and efficiency at a reduced cost for a wide range of dental applications."

The NextDent 5100 solution is currently in beta testing with select customers and will be priced below $10,000 (US)/€10.000 (EU Countries).  The company plans to take pre-orders in the second quarter and general availability is planned for Summer of 2018. Feedback from customers testing the NextDent 5100 highlight the product's precision, ease of use, speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness. 

"The new NextDent 5100 fits the size and workflow of our lab perfectly," said Esteban Ponce, president, Danso Dental Lab (San Diego, CA). "Through the choice of materials, quality, and speed of the system, we can reduce our reliance on milling centers for manufacturing and reduce our costs. When we worked with a milling center to produce models, each one cost us $30. By employing the NextDent 5100 solution and producing the same model in-house, we realized a 90% reduction in cost."

"3D Systems' NextDent 5100 printer is an asset to improving the workflow in our full service laboratory," said Kris Van Cleve, president, Dental Prosthetic Services (Cedar Rapids, IA). "The wide range of available materials, easy print set-up and quick print turn-around allows us to run multiple print cycles and materials throughout the day, which has dramatically improved productivity."  

"For us, 3D printing delivers freedom," said Sebastiaan Cornelissen, chief executive officer, Core3dcentres (Holland & Cordent, The Netherlands). "It's the freedom to produce any shape in significantly less time and at a much lower cost than was possible with milling. With 3D Systems' new NextDent solution which includes both the printer and materials, Core3dcentres Holland and Cordent will be able to improve productivity and patient care."

Compact FabPro™ 1000 Expands Choice for Dental Professionals
3D Systems' digital dentistry portfolio also includes the FabPro™ 1000. The company previously announced this printer to address jewelry and engineering applications, and has expanded its capabilities to address dental indications. This printer delivers exceptional quality and speed with lower total cost of operation. Engineered for precision, accuracy, efficiency, and repeatable results, the easy-to-use FabPro 1000 is designed as a low-cost entry point for customers who are new to the 3D printing market, or who may produce lower volumes. 3D Systems' 3D Sprint™ software is bundled with the FabPro 1000 to facilitate preparation and optimization of CAD data, and management of the additive manufacturing process. The company is optimizing the FabPro 1000 desktop printer for compatibility with select NextDent biocompatible materials for specific dental applications, starting with surgical guides and orthodontic and denture models.  With a price below $5,000 (US)/€5.000 (EU Countries), pre-orders can be placed, and general availability of the printer is planned for Spring 2018. Dental materials availability is planned for Summer 2018.

The NextDent 5100 and FabPro 1000 complement 3D Systems' existing portfolio of dental solutions which includes: ProJet^® MJP 2500 MultiJet solution for dental models using tan material for easy detail visualization; ProX^® 800 stereolithography technology for dental models, patterns, and drill guides batch production; the ProX DMP 100 Dental and ProX DMP 200 Dental metal printers for manufacturing high quality, metal dental prostheses; and Dental Manufacturing and Design Services supported by the company's Customer Innovation Center (Leuven, Belgium).

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from historical results or from any future results or projections expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In many cases, forward looking statements can be identified by terms such as "believes," "belief," "expects," "may," "will," "estimates," "intends," "anticipates" or "plans" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based upon management's beliefs, assumptions and current expectations and may include comments as to the company's beliefs and expectations as to future events and trends affecting its business and are necessarily subject to uncertainties, many of which are outside the control of the company. The factors described under the headings "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other factors, could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected or predicted in forward-looking statements. Although management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not, and should not be relied upon as a guarantee of future performance or results, nor will they necessarily prove to be accurate indications of the times at which such performance or results will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included are made only as the date of the statement. 3D Systems undertakes no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements made by management or on its behalf, whether as a result of future developments, subsequent events or circumstances or otherwise.

About 3D Systems
3D Systems provides comprehensive 3D products and services, including 3D printers, print materials, on demand manufacturing services and digital design tools. Its ecosystem supports advanced applications from the product design shop to the factory floor to the operating room. 3D Systems' precision healthcare capabilities include simulation, Virtual Surgical Planning, and printing of medical and dental devices as well as patient-specific surgical instruments. As the originator of 3D printing and a shaper of future 3D solutions, 3D Systems has spent its 30-year history enabling professionals and companies to optimize their designs, transform their workflows, bring innovative products to market and drive new business models. More information on the company is available at www.3dsystems.com

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SOURCE 3D Systems