Plastics for Dental Laboratories

Plastics are essential materials in modern dentistry and are used in most dental equipment found in dental laboratories and clinics. From biocompatible devices like occlusal splints, mouthguards, and clear retainers to cabinetry and implement grips or handles in dental offices, plastics play important roles throughout the dental industry:

Metallic dental frames use acetal and PEEK clasps for aesthetics. Acetal and PEEK are also used in more practical applications and are two of the materials used to make provisional bridges and post-surgery space retainers.

Dental instrument handles are made from polypropylene due to its durability and general chemical resistance. Polypropylene is also used in orthodontic appliances and dental product packaging.

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), more commonly known as acrylic, is a thermoplastic material known for its durability and clarity. FDA compliant biocompatible grades of cast acrylic are used in combination with CAD/CAM dental milling machines to mill occlusal splints, dentures, and other dental restoration devices to precisely match digital scans or impressions taken from a patient's mouth.

HDPE's light weight, toughness, and excellent chemical resistance make it a great choice for orthodontic and dental devices like retainers, mouthguards, and prosthetic sockets. Specialized sheets such as MediGrade^® are used in cabinetry to keep office surfaces free of microbes.

Occlusal splints are removable dental devices created to treat dental conditions related to occlusions or bites, including teeth grinding, temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), and malocclusion. An occlusal splint distributes forces evenly across the teeth to reduce patient discomfort and protect them from damage caused by misaligned jaws or teeth grinding. Occlusal splints are custom-made by a dentist or dental laboratory using dental milling machines and are worn during sleep or when additional protection is required during waking hours.

Dental milling machines are CAD/CAM devices used to mill precise dental restorations or prosthetics from plastics, metals, or ceramics. They read digital impressions or scans of a patient's teeth and then automatically create a custom prosthetic such as an occlusal splint, retainer, or mouthguard. Dental milling machines produce accurate and high-quality dental restorations quickly and efficiently compared to other fabrication methods.