A Complete Digital Solution for 3D Printing
Michael J. Melkers, DDS, on the VeriONE Digital System
I have a confession to make. I am an analog dinosaur, and I am proud of it. However, I am quite aware that digital dentistry is not only the future of the profession but also already its present. I do not need to be pulled kicking and screaming into the adoption of digital technology and protocols, but it is important to me that the transition is as smooth and seamless as possible. Although I enjoy tinkering and toying with things, that does not extend to my clinical work and my safe approach to patient care.
In the past, I had tried delving into the world of digital dentistry by acquiring an early CAD/CAM unit, but it left me unimpressed. More recently, I entered the digital world again. This time it involved 3D printing surgical guides for guided implant placement.
Initially, I was excited by the low price point of some of the in-office 3D printers on the market; however, the excitement faded fairly quickly as I came to realize that using the cheaper printers frequently led to frustration. The profiles and settings for printing resins were often not included with the printers or the resins. I found myself having to experiment with settings that I did not even understand. To try to unravel the mysteries of calibration, curing times, layer thicknesses, and other terms that I was forced to learn in order to use the technology, I had to spend countless hours in online user groups and message boards. Failed prints became a waste of time, money, and energy.
After all of that, I was of course skeptical of investing in new digital technology. But when I found out that Whip Mix was entering the digital marketplace, they caught my attention and piqued my curiosity. I had already been working with Whip Mix in my clinical practice as well as my teaching for close to 20 years. We had a history, and they had my trust. Still, my skepticism remained.
That skepticism vanished when my VeriBUILD 3D printer arrived. Once it was out of the box, plugged in, and loaded with resin, it was ready to print. There were no headaches from having to calibrate it or wondering if it would work. The software let me simply choose the printer and the resin I wanted. It worked the first time, the second time, and the third time, and it has worked every time ever since. When I did have issues due to my learning curve, the support team was there for me with emails, calls, and even in-office visits to quickly get me up to speed.
I have since added Whip Mix's VeriPULSE intraoral scanner, VeriWHIRL dual-side wash station, VeriLUX curing unit, and most recently, their latest 3D printer, the VeriEKO. With this new VeriONE Digital System, there has been no disruption to my workflow. The system just works. There's no headache, no frustration, and no tinkering–ust accurate scans and prints that allow me to do my job as a clinician and provide excellent patient care. Recently, I have broadened into scanning and printing my own models, custom trays for my analog needs, and provisional restorations, so with VeriONE Digital, even an old, analog dinosaur can learn new tricks.
Michael J. Melkers, DDS
Master
Academy of General Dentistry
Private Practice
Hanover, New Hampshire
KEY TAKEAWAYS
1. Easy integration with no disruption to workflow
2. An affordable solution for all of your printing needs, from models, custom trays, and splints to surgical guides, temporary and permanent crowns, and more
3. Fully backed by Whip Mix, including setup, training in your office, and ongoing technical support
4. Integrated products with one number to call to support the entire system
Manufacturer Information
Whip Mix
whipmix.com
800-626-5651
