In this article, we'll explore how CreSplint is transforming orthodontic retainer design and manufacturing, offering dental professionals a state-of-the-art solution. With advanced features like digital bracket removal, CreSplint delivers precision, efficiency, and simplicity to modern orthodontic workflows.
The Digital Retainer Revolution
Orthodontic retainers play a critical role in post-treatment care, maintaining the corrected alignment of teeth. Traditionally, the fabrication of retainers involved laborious processes, including the manual removal of brackets and physical impressions, which could introduce errors.
CreSplint’s fully digital workflow, integrated with SHINING 3D’s Aoralscan, MetiSmile, and AccuFab systems, addresses these challenges by allowing dental professionals to design and produce retainers with unprecedented accuracy and speed.
The Power of Digital Bracket Removal
One of CreSplint's standout features is its digital bracket removal function, which eliminates the need for physical de-bonding of brackets before producing retainers. This advanced feature automatically removes the brackets from the digital scan, significantly saving time and reducing any potential discomfort for the patient.
In traditional workflows, orthodontists were required to manually de-bond the brackets before taking impressions and fabricating the retainer, introducing additional steps. With CreSplint, this process is streamlined, allowing dental professionals to move directly to retainer production from the digital scan. The result is a more efficient, simplified workflow with fewer opportunities for error.
AI-Driven Retainer Design and One-Click Printing
CreSplint takes full advantage of AI technology to simplify retainer design. The software recognises critical surfaces in the scanned data, automating tasks like layout planning, support generation, and print preparation. With minimal manual input, dental professionals can create highly precise, retainers.
Additionally, the One-Click Printing feature further streamlines production, enabling clinics to go directly from scan to design to 3D printing with ease. By removing the need for bracket de-bonding, this process saves even more time, allowing orthodontic teams to focus on patient care while maintaining high standards of quality and precision.
Workflow Steps for CreSplint
Open predesign and select CreSplint from the app menu. Once CreSplint launches, choose Splint to begin the design process.
Next, select the working arch, finish line, occlusal thickness, wall thickness, undercut, and spacer. You can hover over the
symbol for helpful visuals describing each setting.
At this point, you have two options: choose either Next Step or Auto Generation.
Here’s where CreSplint shines in offering flexibility—Next Step lets you fine-tune each stage of the design, while Auto
Generation creates a fully-formed basic retainer that’s ready for printing, though you can still make adjustments later if needed.
For this article, we’ll opt for Next Step.
Now, you can refine the model by blocking out excessive undercuts, filling deep fissures and pits, and removing brackets if the
splint is intended for immediate use as a retainer.
Additionally, by adding material to the facial surfaces of the teeth, you'll be able to manufacture bleaching trays.
In the Parameter Adjustment step, you’ll have the opportunity to draw or modify the finish lines, adjust the path of insertion,
and review model undercuts to ensure optimal retention.
Next, we'll make our final Shape Adjustment with the Carve tools to smooth the occlusal surface or add material for ramps or other adjustments.
The final step is adding any custom text, followed by clicking Go to Print.
After clicking Go to Print, AccuWare will then open, and the AI-powered One-Click Printing feature will take over, automatically selecting the material and optimally positioning the splint and supports on the platform for the best speed and efficiency.
Efficiency Meets Precision
The combination of digital bracket removal, AI-powered design automation, and seamless 3D printing integration allows CreSplint to excel in both efficiency and precision. Retainers produced using CreSplint fit more accurately, reducing the need for manual adjustments and enhancing patient comfort. The overall process becomes faster and more reliable, improving clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Accessible and Cost-Effective Solutions for All Practices
CreSplint, when integrated with SHINING 3D’s Aoralscan and AccuFab systems, is designed to be accessible for practices of all sizes. The digital bracket removal feature is especially valuable for clinics aiming to reduce manual labour while enhancing efficiency. By adopting this cutting-edge technology, whether in a small practice or a larger dental clinic, the SHINING 3D ecosystem remains affordable and scalable, allowing you to improve patient care without excessive costs.
The digital bracket removal feature ensures teeth remain in their correct positions between impressioning and issuing the retainer, even after debonding the brackets during orthodontic treatment. This critical function helps prevent unwanted movement, ensuring the retainer fits perfectly and the treatment outcome is preserved.
Revolutionising Retainer Production with CreSplint
CreSplint is setting a new benchmark for orthodontic retainer design by combining digital bracket removal, AI-driven automation, and 3D printing integration. Dental professionals can now produce retainers without the need to de-bond brackets, making the process faster, more efficient, and patient-friendly.
Looking ahead, CreSplint is poised to expand its capabilities even further. In the near future, dental professionals will be able to take advantage of upcoming bleaching tray and fluoride application tray functions, further streamlining treatment workflows. These new features will enable dentists to create custom trays with the same level of precision and efficiency already seen in retainer production, simplifying procedures and ensuring optimal patient care.
By continuously innovating, SHINING 3D is ensuring that CreSplint remains a comprehensive solution for a wide range of dental applications, making it an indispensable tool in every modern practice.
Book an in-clinic demo
The Aoralscan scanner, MetiSmile and AccuFab range by Shining 3D all feature CreSplint. Their high precision, doctor-friendly design, advanced scanning capabilities and software make it an essential asset for dental professionals.
By investing in the range of Shining 3D Scan, Design, Manufacture equipement, dental practices can improve patient care, streamline workflows, and achieve superior clinical outcomes. Book an in-clinic demo today by clicking HERE or contact your Account Rep directly.