Midwestern University Receives Grant to Enhance 3D Printing, Dental Education
Illinois State Dental Foundation Grant Awarded to College of Dental Medicine-Illinois
The College of Dental Medicine-Illinois will use funding from the ISDS to improve student access to 3D printing technology which can be used to create a variety of dental prosthetics.
Midwestern University is proud to announce that the College of Dental Medicine-Illinois (CDMI) has been awarded an $8,000 grant by the Illinois State Dental Society Foundation (ISDS) as part of its “Our Legacy, Our Future” program. This grant will enable CDMI to expand educational opportunities for dental students by integrating advanced 3D printing technology into its curriculum, ultimately enhancing both student learning and patient care.
The grant funds will go towards the purchase of an advanced 3D printer that will be used to improve the accuracy and efficiency of dental prosthetics such as dentures, mouthguards, and retainers for geriatric and pediatric patients. Additionally, the funding will support the maintenance and upkeep of the 3D printing system, allowing students in their preclinical years to practice a variety of skills on dental mannequins and in other simulated environments.
“This grant allows us to continue our mission of providing our students with cutting-edge tools and hands-on experience. By integrating 3D printing into our curriculum, we are preparing the next generation of dental professionals to meet the demands of modern dentistry,” said Kaveh Adel, D.D.S., Associate Dean, College of Dental Medicine-Illinois. "This technology lets our students design, adjust, and deliver dental components using scanners and computer technology to create virtual models, which can then be translated into real life with the aid of the advanced 3D printer that can handle stronger, newer materials."
The grant will allow the College to expand students’ experience with 3D printing technology, which can significantly enhance dental care for their future patients. For pediatric patients, 3D printing enables the rapid and cost-effective production of retainers that need frequent adjustments or replacements. For older adults who often require dentures or bridges due to tooth loss, 3D printing provides a more efficient and alternative solution to traditional dentures, including implant-supported hybrid bridges, also known as screw-retained hybrid fixed-detachable partial dentures. Traditional denture fabrication can be a lengthy process with multiple appointments, but 3D printing streamlines this by allowing for precise digital design and faster production.
“As a competency-based school, integrating 3D printing is a crucial step in ensuring students achieve the necessary skills to excel in their field. This technology helps students to bridge the gap between their existing knowledge and practical application. We want our students to be prepared to provide excellent patient care and we invest our time and resources into understanding where the field is headed. Innovation is in our core values,” said Mario Ramos, D.D.S., M.S., Director of Preclinical Faculty, College of Dental Medicine-Illinois.
CDMI students also have the opportunity to use 3D technology to collaborate with faculty mentors on a range of research projects that have the potential to drive innovation in dental care. “Digital dentistry is the future, and getting experience with 3D printing now helps us get comfortable with where things are headed,” said dental medicine student Bhavik Patel (CDMI ’27). His classmate, Sommer Schoenenberger (CDMI ’27) agrees. "I was shadowing a dental specialist recently, and they had technology that was just like what we're learning here. It was very applicable because I could connect what I'm learning in dental school with real-world practice and how it will be used in the field after graduation."
Access to 3D technology is just one of the many ways CDMI equips students with cutting-edge tools and resources, preparing them to excel as patient care providers. “Technology is moving fast, and we’re very fortunate to have the support of the ISDS with this grant, along with the support of our administration, and wonderful faculty who are ready and able to embrace this new technology and translate it into a curriculum for our students that will ultimately improve patient care,” said Dr. Adel.
The College of Dental Medicine-Illinois is dedicated to preparing future dentists who can provide state-of-the-art oral healthcare. As part of their education, students work under the supervision of licensed CDMI dental faculty to provide comprehensive, compassionate care to the community at Midwestern University’s Dental Institute.
