The Application of Bioprinting to Dental Industry

When talking about the changes taking place in the dental industry, people just normally wince yet are interested to know what’s new not only with the procedures being done but also with the shocking bills that they have to pay. There are many things that people should know about the dental industry that is somewhat related to the development of procedures, especially the complex ones. This is why we have to thank for the discoveries coming from Australia that has something to do with dentistry.

How Bioprinting is Use in Dental Procedures

Many people have already heard the word bioprinting. While the majority of the researchers were already involved in creating 3D printed versions of different organs such as kidney tissues and even blood vessels, a new process that brought a different insight in dentistry was introduced.

Professor Saso Ivanovski, a Periodontist who have done a research for five years in Menzies Institute of Griffith University, have discovered a new way of creating the missing bone and tissue that you can find in your gums and jaw. This process will make use of the patient’s own cells. You will only realize that the process is possible if you have encountered the same procedures. According to Ivanovski, dental surgeons have already tried taking bones and tissues from a human body such as the hip and skull. On the other hand, you have to expect that these procedures can cause severe pain, postoperative swelling, and can also damage the nerves.

The concept of Ivanovski’s method offers improvement and made affordable. If his method becomes successful, patients will have to undergo a CT scan to identify what part was damaged. The result will be sent to a bioprinter that will be responsible for creating the new part. It is important that these procedures should be done in a regional medical center so you will no longer have to travel just to reach a major hospital in the city. This is an advantage to patients who are living in remote areas. You can be assured that all the components that make up the damaged part will have its 3D printed version that will definitely fit the need of the patient.

What to Expect from Ivanovski’s Method

Just like the other concepts regarding bioprinting and 3D printed implants, you can expect that the tissues will grow healthy because of the presence of cells that were taken from the patient. This will make it difficult for you to identify the old from the new bone.

The process shows the basics of bioprinting that normally takes place in laboratories. It provides people an immediate solution to their needs and considered to be the first type of this particular technology in Australia.

The method of Ivanovski will take three years of studies and was given by the National Health and Medical Research an amount of $650,000. Researchers will start the pre-clinical trials next year for the application of bioprinting in dental procedures. Ivanovski is planning to use the implants for simple processes by the end of the year.