Written by Matthias Zimmerer, Application Engineer, CDT, certified exocad trainer, Schütz Dental 3D printing is quite possibly the main manufacturing process used for splints today. 3D printed splint materials are tough with some being hard & rigid and others softer with a memory for patient compliance and comfort. The output will vary from printer to printer but all 3D printed splints must go through a polishing process to bring them to a gloss finish. So, regardless of how smooth the parts are after printing there is always the need for manual surface polishing (or should I say “was”). Looking back to how I used to manufacture splints makes me wonder what I would have done with all that time I