Dental Materials

Desktop Health Flexcera Smile and Flexcera Smile Ultra+

31min



Overview

Flexcera™ Smile and Flexcera™ Smile Ultra+ are now available for Carbon M- Series printers to produce artificial teeth for dental prostheses, which are one of the main components in the fabrication of removable permanent full dentures.

This guide will cover the orientation and supporting of the digital models for the applications listed above

Bottle of resin



Resource Links

Flexcera Smile

Flexcera Smile Ultra+

Protocol



This protocol sheet applies to both Flexcera Smile and Flexcera Smile Ultra+.

Dental Post-Processing Grids



Flexcera Smile Application

Flexcera™ Smile may only be used for the production of artificial teeth for dental protheses, which are one of the main components in the fabrication of removable permanent full dentures. Any deviation from the Instructions for Use can negatively affect the chemical and physical properties of the finished product. Consequently, the biocompatibility of the full denture cannot be guaranteed.

Flexcera™ Smile may not be used for the production of e.g. crowns, bridges, veneers, cover dentures, implant retained full or partial dentures or any other application which deviates from the indication.

For design recommendations, see manufacturer instructions for use here.

Resin Shades Available

Carbon has validated four shades of Flexcera Smile/Flexcera Smile Ultra+ resins: Bleach, A1, A2 and B1. There are two options in the printer UI resin menu:

  • Flexcera Smile/Flexcera Smile Ultra+ Bleach for use with the Bleach shade.
  • Flexcera Smile/Flexcera Smile Ultra+ A1, A2, B1 for use with A1, A2 or B1 shades.

Resin Shade

Resin menu option

Bleach

Flexcera Smile/Ultra+ Bleach

A1, A2, or B1

Flexcera Smile/Ultra+ A1, A2, B1



Preparation Tips

Resin menu options

Carbon offers two resin options in the printer UI for use with Flexcera Smile and Flexcera Smile Ultra+.

  • Flexcera Smile/Ultra+ Bleach for use with Bleach shade.
  • Flexcera Smile/Ultra+ A1, A2, B1 for use with A1, A2 or B1 shades.
Resin drop down menu


Prepare Resin Before Printing

The bottle of resin should be mixed for 12 hours before use. Mixing can be performed with a dual motion bottle roller.

Bottle roller with resin bottles


Go to the Desktop Health website to learn more about this accessory including usage and purchasing information.



General Orientation & Support Information




Patch Workflow

  1. Select the part to be supported.
  2. Orient the camera so that the overhangs are clearly visible.
  3. Check that Patch is selected.
  4. Click on each large overhang to select it. A green patch will appear over each overhang. Repeat until all the large overhangs are selected.
  5. Under Support Attributes → Primary Support Type, select Fence.
  6. The other Support Attributes should remain their default values.
  7. Click Generate All to create the support fences.
Document image



Continued from Patch workflow above. So be sure the part is selected and overhangs are clearly visible.

Fence Workflow

  1. Select Fence tool.
  2. Click a series of points in an area of overhang to define the fence.
    1. Target long, narrow overhangs and small overhangs.
  3. Click ESC key to finish adding points to a polyline.
    1. Hold down E key to reposition points.
    2. Click off of the part and drag a box to select points. Press Backspace to delete.
    3. Click a polyline to select for editing.
  4. Support Attributes should remain their default values.
  5. Click Generate All to create the support fences.
  6. Repeat steps 1 - 5 as needed.
    1. Alternately, you can add multiple polylines as needed and then click Generate All to create multiple fences at once.
Fence workflow


Review Supports in Printer UI course for more information.



Occlusal surfaces towards platform

  • Digital models should be oriented with the occlusal surfaces facing the platform.
    • Does not apply to try-ins or full-arch denture teeth.
    • Necessary to maintain accuracy.
    • Ensures supports are on the occlusal surfaces enabling greater accuracy for mating surfac
Occlusal surfaces face platform


No overhangs on interface

Orient parts so that interfaces and margins are free from overhangs so that no supports are required there. Supports leave nubs which require more finishing and can affect fit with mating parts or teeth.



No overhangs on interfaces




Introduction

Crowns, veneers and bridges have similar requirements.

  • No overhangs on margins.
  • No overhangs on interface surfaces.
  • Minimum overhangs on buccal/lingual surfaces.
Occlusal surfaces are oriented to minimize overhangs. Margin and interface are free of overhangs.
Occlusal surfaces are oriented to minimize overhangs. Margin and interface are free of overhangs.


Orientation

1. Click on Orient or Shift + O in the top bar in the printer interface.

2. In the lower right corner of the bottom bar, turn on Overhang Detection or V key and set to 40 degrees. Areas that need support will appear red.

Orient and Overhang Detection buttons




3. Orient each part so that the margin and interface are free of overhangs.

4. Refine orientation to minimize overhangs on other surfaces.

The margin and interface of each part should now be free of overhangs.  The remaining surfaces should have a minimal amount of overhangs.

Teeth oriented to minimize overhangs




Margins and interfaces that have overhangs will require supports.These supports affect fit and will require finishing to ensure proper seating.



Supporting

Follow the application specific recommendations below.

Incisors and canines

In addition to supporting overhangs, these teeth require additional supports to maximize accuracy and print success:

  • Secondary fence supports offset to the lingual side of the incisal edge/cusp tip
  • Two rows of fences on the labial surface located at approximately 1/4 and 3/4 of the tooth height.

The example below shows the additional supports needed on a veneer for an incisor.

Secondary fence on lingual side

1. Support overhang at incisal edge with a single fence.

Points on incisal edge


3. Generated supports.

Generated supports


2. Add secondary fence approximately 1 mm to the lingual side.

Points for secondary fence


4. Side view of generated supports.

Side view of supports




Two fences on the labial surface

1. Labial surface of veneer for incisor.

Labial surface of veneer for incisor.


3. Generated supports.

Generated supports.


2. Add fences approximately 1/4 and 3/4 of the tooth height.

Add fences approximately 1/4 and 3/4 of the tooth height.


4. Side view of generated supports.

Side view of generated supports.




Examples of well-supported parts

Crown

Crown
Crown


Veneer

Veneer
Veneer

Bridge
Bridge






The following information applies to upper and lower denture try-ins.

Introduction

Denture try-ins the following general requirements:

  • Orient try-ins with anterior facing platform.
  • Minimize overhangs on intaglio surfaces.
  • No overhangs on occlusal tooth surfaces



Orientation

1. Click on Orient or Shift + O in the top bar in the printer interface.

2. In the lower right corner of the bottom bar, turn on Overhang Detection or V key and set to 40 degrees. Areas that need support will appear red.

Orient and Overhang Detection buttons




3. Orient the occlusal surfaces roughly parallel to the platform.

4. Rotate model so the occlusal surfaces are 90 degrees to occlusal side.

Note: There will be overhangs on molars and labial surfaces.

Orientation of try-in




Surfaces that have overhangs will require supports.

  These supports affect fit and will require finishing to ensure proper seating.



Supporting

Follow the application specific recommendations below.

  • Support all overhangs as needed using the Patch or Fence tools.
  • In most cases, Patch is the only tool that will be required.
  • When using Patch tool, set Fence spacing to 2 mm.
  • If redundant bar supports are added, they may be manually deleted.
  • Don't forget to support crossbars and the inner edge.



Anterior labial surfaces





Crossbars

Crossbars also require supports.

  • Use fence supports to quickly support crossbars.
  • Press ESC key to end a fence.




Inner lingual edge of lower try-in

Typically, only a single fence is needed to support the lingual edge.

Supporting inner lingual edge of lower try-in




Example of well-supported try-ins

Lower try-in
Lower try-in

Upper try-in
Upper try-in






The following information applies to full arches only.

Introduction

  • Unlike other applications, denture teeth require placement of supports on basal surfaces.
  • No overhangs on occlusal tooth surfaces.



Orientation

1. Click on Orient or Shift + O in the top bar in the printer interface.

2. In the lower right corner of the bottom bar, turn on Overhang Detection or V key and set to 50 degrees. Areas that need support will appear red.

Orient and Overhang Detection buttons




3. Orient the occlusal surfaces facing up, parallel to the platform.

4. Rotate 30 degrees up to lingual side.

Orient teeth




Surfaces that have overhangs will require supports. These supports affect fit and will require finishing to ensure proper seating.



Supporting

Follow the application specific recommendations below.

  • Support all overhangs as needed using the Patch or Fence tools.
  • In most cases, Patch is the only tool that will be required.
  • Limit supports to basal surfaces.




Nesting



Print Preparation

Print Controls

Click Print Controls or Shift + P in the top menu bar.

Print Controls button


Choose the correct print profile

When printing crown and bridge geometries in Flexcera Smile/Flexcera Smile Ultra+, use the print profile Flexcera Smile Ultra+ C&B.

  • The use of this print profile will improve the accuracy of the intaglio surfaces of these types of geometries, but will also increase the print time.
  • Do not use this print profile when printing denture teeth or monolithic dentures in Flexcera Smile/Flexcera Smile Ultra+.
  • If you do not see the Flexcera Smile Ultra+ C&B print profile in your print controls, please contact Carbon Support.

Slicing



  1. There are two options for Print Profile:
    • When printing crown and bridge geometries select Flexcera Smile Ultra+ C&B.
    • For denture teeth, monolithic dentures and veneers, use the Default profile.
  2. Under Slicing, select either Standard (100 µm) or Fine (50 µm), depending on your preference.
  3. Leave all other values at their default values.
Slicing menu


NOTE: Fine (50 µm) slice thickness will result in increased print times compared to Standard (100 µm).

Application

Print Profile

Slicing

Denture Teeth or Monolithic Denture

Default

Standard (100 µm) or Fine (50 µm)

Crown or Bridge

Flexcera Smile Ultra+ C&B

Veneer

Default



Project Analysis

  1. Select the Project Analysis tab.
  2. Click Start Analysis and wait for the processing to complete.
    1. Note the required resin volume and print time.
  3. Click Add to Queue.
Project Analysis button


Manufacturer Instructions for Use

Flexcera Smile

Flexcera Smile Ultra+

Questions & Support

For questions about the resin properties, printing, washing or curing your parts, please contact the support team: