What is Injection Moulding?

The injection moulding technique (IMT) involves injecting a low-viscosity resin composite in a pressurized, transparent silicone index made from a diagnostic wax-up, aiming to replicate an already performed mock-up and an approved tooth form arrangement.

Resin is natural-looking, long-lasting, and very affordable compared to other tooth-coloured materials. Since very little or no tooth structure is reduced, resin procedures are very conservative, but often the dentist must rely on freehand build-ups to get to the final shape.

The shape and form of your teeth are almost more important than the shade. Even with the perfect shade match, if the shape and form are not 100% correct, symmetry and harmony will be lacking.

Getting the shape wrong especially if exact symmetry is required for aesthetic makeovers on front teeth, relying on a free-hand technique is not always the best option. With RiT we first do a 2D design (Digital Smile Design), then a 3D design, and finally we can now transfer this 3D design to a mock-up in the mouth. This allows for almost exact copying and makes these cases more predictable than freehand.

(Mockup Image of Injection moulding)

How does this work?

With RiT we first do a 2D design (Digital Smile Design) where we make use of the latest design software to create the perfect smile design for your face and smile.  Most often teeth need to be made longer to give a more youthful appearance.

If the 2D design is approved by the patient, we then transfer this to a 3D design to 3D print the new teeth.

The 3D-printed teeth represent the new smile, and this now needs to be transferred to the patient’s mouth to do a mock-up of the new smile.

This silicon stent was then fitted in the patient’s mouth and the volume difference now represents the additive part or new shape that was planned in the 2D stage. This allows for almost exact copying of the 3D printed models and makes these cases more predictable than freehand.

Smile makeovers with Injection Moulding

With the Resin Injection Technique, we can now help patients add length, change the shape or align their teeth to the planned and newly designed smile.

One good application is treating traditional tooth wear due to grinding, erosion or trauma to reverse such wear and replace the lost enamel with the latest flowable resins. Most patients need some form of tooth lengthening to reverse the effects of tooth wear and add years back to their smile.

• Before Picture

• After Picture of Injection Moulding

(Before and After photos of one of our patients that did Injection Moulding treatment at Silver Oaks Dental Clinic procedure done by Dr. Craig Inch.)

 Is this cost-effective?

Injection moulding is much more cost-effective than doing porcelain veneers. The duration for the veneers is much longer than Injection moulding and the veneers are much stronger than the resin. The result is very similar to veneers. But like everything, nothing lasts forever.

But we have invented a treatment to fit our patient’s needs who are working within a strict budget an alternative and un-invasive treatment to accommodate everyone that is running after that Hollywood smile. Unfortunately, Medical aids do not cover any cosmetic dentistry.

Can anyone get composite veneers?

Composite veneers are more focused on the cosmetic side of dentistry. Any patient who is unhappy with the look of their teeth is considered a candidate for Composite veneers. This treatment is not recommended for children under the age of 16 because they are still developing and growing.

How does this change your appearance?

This treatment is life-changing. And has brought so many smiles to our patients. We have testimonials on our website for your convenience to hear from the patients themselves who had this treatment done and how it has changed their lives.

What is the duration of composite bonding?

So, let’s be honest, nothing lasts forever but everything can have a long duration if taken care of correctly. If you don’t run into any issues with biting hard foods or having any accidents, composite bonding can last anywhere between four to eight years. How long the composite lasts depends on various factors, such as the location of the tooth, the extent of tooth damage, eating habits, and oral hygiene status.

Is this an invasive treatment?

This treatment is the most noninvasive of all. And mainly for esthetic purposes. There are not any existing tooth structures that get cut or damaged in the process.  It is safe and can be reversed at any time or replaced.