3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark, has entered into a partnership with 3D printer company Formlabs, Somerville, Mass, to introduce software integration solutions to bring seamless dental 3D printing workflows to the worldwide market.

The first solution introduced by the companies’ partnership is a dental-3D printing workflow that streamlines the guide design and manufacturing workflow for dental practitioners. The workflow aims to make it easier and more affordable to produce surgical guides.

With the Formlabs-3Shape integration solution, dental practitioners can create guides ready for surgery by scanning with 3Shape TRIOS intraoral scanners and designing with 3Shape Implant Studio software, followed by simply hitting “print” with Formlabs’ PreForm software, to finally 3D printing and manufacturing the guides with Formlabs’ biocompatible Dental SG resin. According to the companies, this can be completed in a “matter of hours.”

Integration with 3Shape’s Dental System and Orthodontic System is under development and planned for release throughout the year. This will enable a wide range of workflows, according to the companies, that include restorative and orthodontic study models, splints, and 3D printed dentures.