Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is not new nor is it hype: It promises gains in product optimization, as well as cost and waste reduction. While it has been widely adopted by some industries, most notably dentistry, others, including O&P, have been slower to adopt the technology.
There are without a doubt a few good reasons for the slower rate of adoption in O&P. “3D Printing: Making It Work” in the July 2021 issue of The O&P EDGE presents several perspectives of those who have pioneered the adoption of 3D printing in the profession. The article discusses a need for education and increased awareness of the technical details relating to 3D printing materials and capabilities, which is tied to another topic—the importance of developing design skills.
