Left to right Steve and Dan Bant inside their Macclesfield labEmbracing the latest additive manufacturing (AM) technology has accelerated a family-run dental laboratory’s move to a ‘state of the art’ facility in Macclesfield.
Bant Dental, founded by husband-and-wife team Steve and Susan Bant in 1990, has enjoyed a major surge in business after switching from analogue to digital technology, tapping into the capabilities of the industry-leading Stratasys J5 DentaJet.
Supplied and installed by ‘UK Platinum Partner’
SYS Systems, the 3-D printer allows the lab to print fully customisable, full-colour monolithic dental parts, including dentures, surgical guides and models. Multiple components can be 3-D printed in a single run, with dentures produced with realistic depth and translucency, removing labour-intensive steps and reducing potential errors.
Co-founder Steve Bant said: “When I started back in 1990, everything was analogue based. However, as time went on, digital started to creep in and, as it stands today, we are 95% digital at our new lab on Beech Lane in Macclesfield. Initially, the J5 DentaJet could produce models, implant models, guides and special trays and this made us a lot more efficient as a business. Then SYS Systems received approval for its groundbreaking TrueDent CE-marked resin in the UK, and this opened up a whole new range of possibilities, including 3-D printing full-colour monolithic dentures.”
He continued: “The ability to print in colour is next level. You can alter the colour of the gingiva, you can give it depth, and you can add translucency on the tips of the teeth. They have actually got real depth and, importantly, look fantastic!”
Part of advanced technology specialist Carfulan Group, SYS Systems has been a trusted partner throughout Bant Dental’s digital journey. From initial introduction to the available solutions, its 3-D printing experts have provided expert guidance and technical assistance to Steve and his team, ensuring the lab gets the most from its investment in Stratasys technology.
Dan Bant, digital lab manager and son of Steve and Susan, said: “The speed and the accuracy of the J5 DentaJet is simply next level and has revolutionised our workflow. In the simplest terms, the volume of work we produce digitally today would necessitate the need for at least three-times the number of staff we had before. The investment we have freed up has been poured back into making Macclesfield one of the most advanced dental labs in the country.”
Higher quality and more flexible denturesHe added: “We first met SYS at the Dental Technology Showcase and, from day one, it got our business and where we wanted to head. The company’s technical specialists walked us through the solutions, and eventually we opted for the J5 DentaJet. The support we have had with the 3-D printer and how we integrate the TrueDent resin has been second-to-none and made an unbelievable difference to our performance at the lab and, more importantly, for patients who are receiving even higher quality and more flexible dentures.”
Chris Fulton, managing director of SYS Systems, picked up the story. He said: “Embracing digital dentistry has been a game-changer for Bant Dental and helped it set the foundations for the next 35 years in business. The family-run company is a great example of how our revolutionary 3-D printing technology isn’t just for the big laboratories but can be deployed to offer real quality and efficiency savings for fast-growing, innovative labs too.”
SYS Systems, which has been a Stratasys UK platinum partner since 2012, delivers a complete turnkey solution, including installation, service, maintenance, training and technical support. From its £2.5 million advanced Innovation Centre near Derby, the company has seen sales in the dental market soar by 350% over the last 12 months with the installation of one J5 DentaJet every two weeks, as more laboratories and clinics come round to its speed, functionality and aesthetic performance.