Recommended Resin: SS/ SH
With Shining3D printers and SS01 or SH01 resin, you can easily and efficiently produce soft splints. This guide will walk you through each step of the process, including scanning, design, fabrication, and polishing.
These materials are suggested using HyperClear resin tank from AccuFab-CEL for minimum polishing on support generation area to high optical transparency and resist discolouration over time.Use the current workflow to ensure a high satisfaction result.
Caution: this guide is specifically intended for use with Shining3D equipment only. It is not applicable to other brands or models, and using it with non-Shining3D devices may result in inaccurate instructions or improper setup.
Scan
Dental design software requires a digital impression of the patient’s anatomy in order to design a splint, retainer or nightguard.
To acquire this data, scan a patient directly with Aoralscan intraoral scanners or a poured model with AutoScan desktop scanners.
Design
There are several dental software options providing by Shining 3D. In this application guide, we will work through using Shining 3D self-developed splint design software CreSplint, or we provide options to use exocad or Maestro 3D for more advanced professional design.
After AI design, you can send file from ‘GO TO PRINT’ to Accuware. Choose the correct machine and serial number in advance if you have multiple printers. There is layer thickness options including but not only limited to arrange between 50 and 100um. Shining 3D software have a smooth connection, so users would not need to export and import with repeated action.
There are also 3rd party design platform we provide from Shining 3D Dental Cloud to give our users more options for creating a design.
How to use CreSplint
Shining3D provides CreSplint for AI one click design splint and retainers. Both or either upper and lower jaw can be imported into CreSplint. The final product would be automatically come out in a perfect status, but still, the result can have minor adjustment by changing the path of insertion, margin line and other design parameters. Of course, you could also use the third party professional CAD software to design.
Shining 3D suggested parameter
Nightguard Suggested Parameter
Minimum thickness 0.6mm
Gap (suggest for CreSplint) 0.03mm
Undercut Angle 0
*Users can adjust the parameter based on their personal interest
Retainer Suggested Parameter
Adult Retainer Suggested Parameter
Minimum thickness 0.6mm
Gap (suggest for CreSplint) 0.03mm
Undercut Angle 10
*If you are printing vertically, you would be suggested increasing the labial 2/3 incisor thickness 0.2mm without increasing in incisor height and posterior teeth occlusal surface decreasing in thickness 0.1mm for correct thickness printing.
Hawley Appliance (Vertical Printing)- SH resin
Hawley Appliance Suggested Parameter
Wire Input depth 1.2mm
Wire Input width 1.2-1.8mm
Design Thickness 2-2.5mm
HyperClear Resin Tank is suggested to print transparent materials
One-click Printing: Retainer/ Nightguard one-click printing
Print *Use latest Accuware and Firmware version
One-Click Printing
Splint one-click printing to the imported data, auto layout, support generation and slicing will be automatically performed with AI algorithm and sending into printer for printing.
If you are using HyperClear, we strongly suggest you use splint one-click printing for easy post-processing and minimal polishing afterwards.
Manually added support
You can either place the splint in non-contact area horizontally facing the platform or place the model vertically with incisor facing the platform. Please make sure you place the model in optimum printing area for good printing quality.
If you choose to layout vertically, you could delete most of the support and keep the support on incisor for decreasing labor in post-processing.
Post-process
Part removal
You can use FabWash or scrapping tools to remove the printed parts.
Washing
FabWash
Please place the ceramic platform for cutting on FabWash first. We suggest using the FabWash pre-set time.
Hand Wash
Place the model in a beaker containing an appropriate amount of clean medical alcohol (with a concentration over 75%). Ensure that alcohol is not used. Clean the model in an ultrasonic cleaner with a power range of 150-500W for 1.5 minutes, making sure that all models are fully submerged in alcohol during cleaning.
After the first round of cleaning, use a compressed air to blow away any residual resin on the tissue surface of the splint, as residual resin may be hard to clean. Then, replace the alcohol with a clean one in a separate container and repeat the cleaning process.
Note that brushes or similar tools should not be used to scrub the model's surface.
Additionally, the cleaning and soaking time should not be too long, as excessive exposure may affect the material's strength and accuracy.
Drying
Blow to dry the model and make sure there is no resin residues and alcohol staying on surface.
Residues remain will be shown in reflection under room light. Please repeat the cleaning process if the above is shown.
Curing*optimum curing environment 20-30 degrees, humidity lower than 70%, the same environment condition as printing
We recommend curing before removing the support using the FabCure 2/ FabCure N2 in normal curing mode for 7 minutes. After curing, place the model at room temperature to ensure stable material strength.
Fabcure1/1s:10min
Fabcure2: 3min *there will be preset curing parameter inside the curing system which easier for easy processing.
We suggest to cure before removing the support, the uncured resin will be soft and easy to be damaged by any sharp products
Support Removal
After cleaning and curing, remove the support structures required for printing. Use the
designated electronic pliers to segment the support base and cut oO the supports, ensuring that the model surface is not damaged.
If you are printing in angled layout, careful not to grind the surface. Otherwise this may damage the polished surface.
Polishing
Nitrogen curing polishing process
If you are using the angled layout, nitrogen curing is not necessary
If you are printing vertically, brush a thin layer of SS material on the splint product for the polishing of the product. Use FabCure N2 ‘Aesthetical Mode’ for a 30s curing.
Manual polishing process
Use different gliding tools for rough and fine smoothing on the surface (support adding area).
For a rough tool polishing first, 151um polish for suggested 20000-30000 rpm/min.
Then suggested to use a fine 107um polishing tool for 10000-20000rpm/min.
Use polishing powder mix with water for a depth advance polishing on machine. Make sure the polishing area is even on surface, to prevent structure damage on splint. Also this will prevent the residue attaching after wearing.
Use Hatho white resin polish and use Hatho pink splint polish for final high polish.
You could skip the Hawley Appliance procedure if the product is nightguard/ retainer.
Hawley Appliance Post-processing
Curing
We recommend curing before removing the support using the FabCure N2 in normal curing mode for 6 minutes 60 degrees. After curing, place the model at room temperature to ensure stable material strength.
Support Removal
After cleaning and curing, remove the support structures required for printing. Use the
designated electronic pliers to segment the support base and cut the supports, ensuring that the model surface is not damaged.
Wire Attaching Stage
Place the polished and cleaned resin base onto the model. Bend the bi-curved lip arch and the posterior end of the molar clasp assembly to fit into the embedding slot reserved on the resin base. Insert the clasp into the reserved slot and apply resin to seal it.
Place the resin base onto the model to check whether it fits properly. Ensure that the resin base adheres closely to the model and verify that there are no significant gaps.
Notes for Clasp Bending (Bi-curved Lip Arch)
Horizontal Section: Use the pad of your thumb to bend the wire into a smooth, rounded arc, avoiding any protrusions or overly sharp angles. The wire must make close contact with the labial surface of the four incisors, typically positioned at the junction of the mesial third and the middle third of the labial surface of the upper incisors.
“U” Shape Curve: The “U” shape curve should align with the long axis of the canine tooth.
The starting point should be at the junction of the mesial and middle third of the canine,
with the curve making contact with the labial surface of the tooth.
The apex (height) of the curve should be 3-5mm above the gingiva, and the curve should be approximately 0.5-1mm away from the gingiva. The width of the curve should be slightly narrower than the width of the canine, approximately two-thirds of the mesiodistal width of the canine.
Connector: The connector should be bent to follow the groove provided on the resin base to ensure a good fit for the embedded wire, allowing for a seamless integration.
After embedding the wire into the reserved groove, use a rubber-tipped brush to apply the
SH resin into the groove. During the application, avoid spreading the resin over a large area. Instead, use the brush to place the resin in thick drops directly into the reserved groove.
Maintain a moderate speed to prevent the formation of excessive bubbles during the
application, which could affect the aesthetic outcome. (If the clasp moves or if application becomes difficult, you can fix the clasp arms and the “U” curve section of the bi-curved lip arch with wax to prevent movement during the process.)
After the application is complete, check whether the coating is even, ensuring that there are no areas with uneven surfaces. Then, place the model into the Fabcure N2, set the conditions to 60°C for 4 minutes.
Nitrogen polish curing
You could use a thin layer of SH to brush on the surface of the Hawley appliance and cure using FabCure N2 ‘Aesthetical Mode’ to nitrogen cure for 30s for a high polish result. 
Similarly, SH material can also be used to design and fabricate modified Hawley retainers, Begg retainers, myofunctional appliances, double arch orthodontic devices, and other similar products.
Clean and Disinfection
Before use, the printed parts should be soaked in 75% medical alcohol for 10-15 minutes for disinfection.
After disinfection, the printed parts can be cleaned with physiological saline or clean water. Once disinfected and cleaned, the parts should be free of chemical odors and meet biocompatibility requirements.
For routine cleaning, effervescent tablets can be dissolved in water, and the tray can be
soaked for about 5 minutes to remove stains.
NOTE: It is not recommended to use toothpaste for surface brushing, as this may aOect the surface quality of the resin base.