Malmö, Sweden – Roland3D, a subsidiary of Roland DG Scandinavia, has spent more than two years developing a dental restoration solution in close cooperation with Danish company 3shape, the market leader in dental scanning technology and dental modeling software. The result is an integrated CAD/CAM system using the Roland JWX-10 as the milling platform. The system is now undergoing final testing and is expected to be available for sale in the fall under the name Arcila Dental Solutions.

The system is based on a D-640™ dental 3D scanner and DentalDesigner™ modeling software, both developed by 3shape. The milling is done on a Roland JWX-10, equipped with a special fixture for wax and Zirconia blocks. Zirconia is a ceramic material uniquely suited for dental applications. When sintered at 1500 degrees Celsius, it hardens and reaches a strength that surpasses most other ceramic materials. This strength makes it possible to build copings, crowns and bridges from Zirconia, eliminating the need for metal substructures in dental restorations. The hazardous dust produced by Zirconia milling is controlled and removed by a special exhaust fitting on the JWX-10, thus allowing dry milling.

Mikael Hegedus in his office in Malmö, Sweden

In Malmö, Sweden, dental technician Mikael Hegedus has been watching the development of dental CAD/CAM closely for years and has used several different systems in his laboratory. When Roland3D approached him to be among the first to test the Arcila system, he immediately jumped on board. Today, Mikael’s Arcila system is the first to be used in full-scale laboratory production. In this setting, high quality, system stability and cost-effective production are essential. The JWX-10 has consistently provided excellent results, milling in both wax and Zirconia.

“The Roland3D system is great. The scan results are the best I’ve seen from a 3D scanner, and the modelling software is powerful yet easy to use. In many cases, the quality of the JWX-10 millings surpasses what we can make by hand. The fit to the tooth is perfect – every time.”

Since a skilled craftsman can produce a wax coping by hand in a matter of minutes, the CAD/CAM process must be simple and fast. The Roland 3D system completes the entire scanning and modeling process within five minutes. It can also work unattended while milling, leaving the technician free to start the next job. In Mikael’s view, it is only a matter of time before CAD/CAM will be the generally accepted way to produce dental restorations.

The next step for Roland3D is migrating the new technology to other Roland milling machines. A proposal for the MDX-540, using a tool changer and multiple fixtures, seems especially promising. Mikael Hegedus will continue to work with Roland3D and will be the first to test upcoming products within the dental arena. Roland3D is expecting to offer the Arcila system to dental laboratories throughout the Roland Scandinavia distribution channel this fall.

Roland believes in the quality of its products, and Roland DG Scandinavia CEO Bent Corlin will do more than just discuss the advantages of the Arcila system - he will soon be among the first to receive one of its commercially produced Zirconia crowns.

For more information about the Arcila system, please visit www.roland3d.dk/arcila.