How a Dental Lab Achieved Digital Transformation with NextShapes Dental Model 3D Resin
2026.06.18 
NextShapes,Dental Model,3D Printing 
＜1 minute 
In the wave of digital dentistry, 3d printing materials are becoming a key driver of industry innovation. A large dental laboratory in South China faced a pressing problem in early 2023: the production cycle of traditional plaster models was getting longer, outsourcing costs kept rising, and customers were demanding ever higher accuracy and faster delivery of orthodontic models. Zhang, the lab’s director, recalls: “We handle over a hundred orthodontic cases every day, and each case requires a precise set of dental models. But with the traditional process—from pouring plaster to trimming and finally delivery—it took at least three days. Plus, shrinkage and deformation of plaster models were persistent issues.”
It was against this backdrop that the lab introduced NextShapes’ Icd 3d printing technology (405nm LCD/DLP) and its dedicated 3d resin – Dental Model. This material features a unique flesh tone appearance, combining low shrinkage with high precision, resulting in models with sharp edges and clear details. The lab’s actual comparison tests showed that the cost per single tooth model 3D printed in house with Dental Model was only 40% of that of traditionally outsourced plaster models, the delivery cycle was cut from three days to three hours, and dimensional stability improved by nearly 30%.
A Real Customer’s Pain Point and Choice
When the global dental industry faced supply chain fluctuations and delivery pressures, the lab, like many peers, began searching for alternatives to traditional plaster models. Zhang recalls: “We tried several photopolymer resins, but either shrinkage was too high, causing model deformation, or detail reproduction was poor, failing to meet the precision required for orthodontic bracket bonding.”
After learning that NextShapes had launched Dental Model specifically designed for 405nm LCD/DLP printers (based on Icd 3d printing technology), the lab proactively contacted NextShapes’ R&D team. The two sides collaborated on a two week material validation process: from printing parameter tuning to post processing optimization, from single tooth model tests to batch printing of full-arch orthodontic models. “We wanted to see if we could reliably 3d print everything in-house,” Zhang added.
“Seeing our Dental Model material truly help users solve production challenges is very gratifying,” said the product manager at NextShapes. “Zhang’s team had very clear requirements: low shrinkage, high detail, and easy cleaning. Starting from the material formulation, we worked together with the user to conduct hundreds of 3d print tests. The final validated parameter set not only enabled them to achieve in house production but also provided a reusable template for many other small and medium sized labs. This kind of front line user feedback is the greatest driving force for us to continuously improve our 3d resin performance.”
In an internal case summary published by the lab, Zhang wrote: “Our core need was actually very simple: find a 3d resin with low shrinkage, high detail reproduction, and effortless post-processing, to completely replace those slow and unstable plaster models. NextShapes’ Dental Model did not disappoint us. Using the same material, we 3D printed single-tooth models, opposing models, orthodontic diagnostic models, implant guide bases, and various other types – dimensional consistency was always excellent. In particular, its flesh-tone appearance looked very natural when communicating treatment plans with doctors and patients. After we shared our parameter set and workflow, other labs quickly replicated equally good results. Participating in the early application validation of this material was a technical capability upgrade for us as well.”
NextShapes’ R&D director added: “The original intention behind developing Dental Model was to enable dental labs to ‘3d print with it right out of the box, and get accurate results every time.’ At the same time, we selected resin components that are easy to clean, so that labs can quickly rinse the parts with ordinary alcohol, avoiding cumbersome solvent steps.”
The successful application of Dental Model in the lab once again confirms the practical value of high-performance 3d resin in dentistry. Compared to traditional plaster models, 3D printed dental models offer the following significant advantages:
- Fast turnaround and low cost: Labs are no longer dependent on external outsourcing; the cost per model can be controlled to below 50% of traditional methods, greatly reducing inventory and logistics expenses.
- High precision and intricate detail: Dental Model’s low shrinkage ensures accurate reproduction of cusps, margins, and proximal contacts, meeting clinical requirements for orthodontic and restorative treatments.
- Dimensional stability and easy cleaning: The material is easy to clean with standard solvents after 3d printing, exhibits minimal dimensional change after post curing, and resists deformation during long term storage.
- Flesh tone appearance aids presentation: The natural colour makes the model look more like the intraoral environment, facilitating doctor patient communication and case documentation.
A Practical Partner for Dental Labs on Their Digital Upgrade Journey
NextShapes is committed to providing high-performance, easy-to-use 3d resin for the global dental industry. Dental Model, a core product in this series, has been battle-tested by numerous front-line labs. We are proud to collaborate with pioneering users like this dental lab, and we will continue to invest in R&D to help more labs enjoy the benefits of digital production. Whether you are new to 3d printing or already experienced with Icd 3d printing technology, Dental Model offers a reliable path to in-house model production.
For more technical specifications and printing parameters for the Dental Model material, please visit the NextShapes official website product page.
