3D printing adds bite to Bant Dental

A Cheshire digital dental laboratory has expanded into a new facility after adopting advanced 3D printing technology to support growing demand.

Bant Dental, based in Macclesfield, has invested in a Stratasys J5 DentaJet system to transition from analogue to digital production, enabling faster and more precise manufacturing.

The family-run business, founded in 1990, can now produce full-colour dental parts including dentures, surgical guides and models in a single print run, improving efficiency and reducing errors.

Supplied by SYS Systems, part of the Carfulan Group, the technology has supported the lab’s digital transformation with installation, training and ongoing technical expertise.

Co-founder Steve Bant said: “When I started back in 1990, everything was analogue based. 

“However, as time went on, digital started to creep in and, as it stands today, we are 95 per cent digital at our new lab on Beech Lane in Macclesfield.

“Initially, the J5 DentaJet™ could produce models, implant models, guides and special trays and this made us a lot more efficient as a business. 

“Then SYS Systems received approval for its groundbreaking TrueDent™ CE-marked resin in the UK, and this opened up a whole new range of possibilities, including 3D printing full-colour monolithic dentures.

“The ability to print in colour is next level. 

“You can alter the colour of the gingiva, you can give it depth, and you can add translucency on the tips of the teeth. 

“They’ve actually got real depth and, importantly, look fantastic!”

Chris Fulton, managing director of SYS Systems, added: “Embracing digital dentistry has been a gamechanger for Bant Dental and helped it set the foundations for the next 35 years in business.

“The family-run company is a great example of how our revolutionary 3D printing technology isn’t just for the big laboratories but can be deployed to offer real quality and efficiency savings for fast-growing, innovative labs too.”

The move comes amid strong growth in the dental sector, with increasing adoption of additive manufacturing helping laboratories scale operations and enhance product quality.

Dan Bant, digital lab manager at Bant Dental and son of Steve and Susan, added: “The speed and the accuracy of the J5 DentaJet™ is simply next level and has revolutionised our workflow.

“In the simplest terms, the volume of work we produce digitally today would necessitate the need for at least three times the number of staff we currently have. 

“The investment we’ve freed up has been poured back into making Macclesfield one of the most advanced dental labs in the country.

“We first met SYS at the Dental Technology Showcase and, from day one, it got our business and where we wanted to head. 

“Its technical specialists walked us through the solutions, eventually settling with the introduction of the J5 DentaJet™.

“The support we’ve had with the printer and how we integrate the TrueDent™ resin has been second to none and made an unbelievable difference to our performance at the lab and, more importantly, for patients who are receiving even higher quality and more flexible dentures.”

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