The Subject of the Article:
- 3D printing of provisionals has evolved into a practical solution for daily use.
- Filament printing in dentistry enables fabrication of provisionals without complex post-processing.
- The key is not the technology alone, but a coordinated system of software, hardware, and materials.
- Modern 3D printing systems such as the Renfert SIMPLEX 2 SX demonstrate how provisional workflows can be safely integrated into dental offices and laboratories.
Provisionals are among the most common—and at the same time most time-critical—restorative treatments in daily clinical practice. They do far more than serve as a temporary solution. They protect prepared teeth, stabilize occlusion and proximal areas, support soft tissue management, and maintain aesthetics until the final restoration is in place.
But how can provisionals be produced economically and with reliable process control in a digital workflow?
Provisionals in the digital workflow: Why process reliability matters
Regardless of the manufacturing method, temporary crowns and bridges must meet defined criteria:
- reliable fit to the prepared situation
- sufficient mechanical stability for the wearing period
- biocompatible materials for intraoral use
- controllable surface quality
- predictable, efficient manufacturing process
For temporary restorations in particular, success or failure is determined by a controlled, reproducible workflow and not by maximum technical complexity,
Milling or printing? Why 3D printing is often preferred for provisionals
Digital manufacturing methods in dental offices and labs are increasingly shifting the focus from manual craftsmanship to standardized processes. For the fabrication of provisionals, this means, among other things:
- consistent quality — regardless of the user
- seamless integration into the digital workflow
- clearly defined and traceable process steps
- predictable production times and costs
Compared to CAD/CAM milling, where a crown is milled from a blank, 3D printing is an additive process. The layer-by-layer approach uses only as much material as needed, minimizing process-related waste — an important economic advantage, especially for provisionals. Additionally, 3D printing integrates easily into existing digital workflows, both in dental offices and laboratories.
“When it comes to fabricating provisionals, what really matters in the end is how quickly and consistently we can work — not which method is theoretically more capable.”
Matthias Burkhardt, Dentist, Lagodentes
Eugen Ens, MDT, Lagodentes
Market trends show that 3D printing is rapidly gaining importance in dentistry: According to an analysis by Markets and Markets, the global dental 3D printing market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of approximately 19% through 2029.
What makes dental filament printing ideal for provisionals?
Filament printing is based on the layer-by-layer extrusion of thermoplastic materials (filaments). For temporary restorations, it offers several advantages:
Direct processing
Temporary restorations produced by filament printing are ready for finishing (e.g., polishing) and insertion immediately after printing. Additional steps such as washing or light curing are not required.
Simple, reproducible processes
Dental-specific systems such as SIMPLEX deliver consistent results through predefined printing parameters, regardless of the user's experience.
Clean workflow in dental office and lab
Filament printing does not require liquid resins or chemical auxiliaries and can be easily integrated into existing work environments.
Cost-effectiveness
Filaments are comparatively inexpensive, making the cost per provisional predictable and generally lower than with other 3D printing methods.
Did you know?
- 3D-printed provisionals can easily be produced same-day, even for more extensive restorations.
- Digital workflows for provisional production enable greater efficiency, improved planning reliability, and shorter waiting times for patients.
- Filament processes significantly reduce workflows because complex post-processing steps are eliminated.
- Filament printing is one of the most resource-efficient additive manufacturing methods.
- In dental offices, filament printers are suitable not only for provisionals, but also for models and custom impression trays.
Which 3D printer is particularly suited for provisionals?
A brief look at the methods currently used in dentistry is worthwhile when it comes to 3D printing of temporary restorations. These can broadly be differentiated by material class and printing principle:
- Resin-based processes (resin/VAT printing) use liquid, polymer-based materials that are photocured layer by layer in a vat. Additional process steps (e.g., washing and post-curing) are required after printing to achieve final material properties.
- With filament printing (Fused Filament Fabrication), a solid thermoplastic filament is extruded through a heated nozzle to build the object. Once printed, the object can be finished straight away. There is no need for additional steps such as washing, chemical post-treatment, or light curing.
Filament printing is not necessarily in direct competition with resin printing but represents an alternative approach with less post-processing and a different property profile.
Especially for provisionals, filament printing offers clear advantages in terms of simplicity, cost efficiency, and integration into daily workflows.
Plug & Play: How SIMPLEX simplifies 3D printing of provisionals
A systematic approach is essential to ensure that filament printing can be used safely and easily in everyday clinical and laboratory routines. The dental filament printing system SIMPLEX 2 SX by Renfert was developed with exactly this goal in mind.
The slicer software (e.g., SIMPLEX slice studio) comes with predefined settings. The user simply selects the desired indication — printing strategy, material, and process parameters are already coordinated. Presets are also available for provisionals: Select the “Provisionals” program, and the printing process follows a defined logic.
On the hardware side, printer features such as semi-automatic print bed leveling and digital bed measurement ensure consistent adhesion and reproducible results. Typical sources of error are minimized, keeping the workflow stable. After printing, the crown is ready for finishing (e.g., polishing)—without additional process steps.
This makes 3D printing of provisionals not an added layer of complexity in the dental office and lab, but a seamless extension of the existing digital workflow.
