Surgical Guide

Application Guide for Printing Partial-Mouth Surgical Guides

Application: Surgical Guide
Subtype: Partial
Resin: QuraGUIDE
Software: Alpha 3D

1. Print Analysis

A. Critical Areas – No Support

  • The most important location on the surgical guide is the interior area where the teeth touch. For the best fit, this area must be printed without supports. This side faces upwards, so it is not supported.

B. Minimal Support Area

  • Since the fitting area will not be supported, the reverse side will be completely supported. The sleeve areas will have tools and casing added, so it is preferred to not have supports on them when possible. On this area, use as few supports as possible, but still make sure the print is properly affixed to the build platform.

C. Main Support Area

  • Add supports to the entire rest of the smooth surface as necessary. Windowed areas can be supported as well, due to the support marks not affecting vision or tool working room.

2. Orientation

A. Angle the print so that the molar side of the guide is closer to the platform, and the side closer to the incisors is raised.

  • Angle: 10-15°

B. Raise the part off the platform.

  • Height : 2.0- 2.5 mm

3. Supports

When supporting this print, Ackuretta recommends doing the following:

  • A. Start by using Auto Support with the settings shown below.
  • B. Go to Manual Support, and remove supports that are grouped up too thoroughly.
  • C. Add supports to areas that have too few supports nearby.
  • D. Change your support settings to the Base Support settings shown below.
  • E. Remove all supports along the lowest points of the print.
  • F. Add supports to that area using the Base Support size to ensure that area is strongly affixed to the build platform.

Auto Supports

  • Point Size: 0.5 – 0.9 mm
  • Elbow Size: 0.8 – 1.3 mm
  • Bottom Size: 1.1 – 1.6 mm
  • Support Density: 88%
  • Support Height: 2.0 – 2.5 mm

Note

Prints using QuraGUIDE resin should be raised slightly higher off the platform than other resins so that the supports and bottom portions do not cure together.

Base Supports

  • Point Size: 0.8 – 1.3 mm
  • Elbow Size: 1.1- 1.6 mm
  • Bottom Size: 1.4 – 2.0 mm
  • Support Density: 88%
  • Support Height: 2.0 – 2.5 mm

Support Area

Support Result

4. Base

Ackuretta recommends adding a base to almost all supported prints. Adding a base allows the print to stick to the build platform securely, and it makes the print easier to remove during post processing.

  • If you use the General support setting, Alpha 3D automatically adds a small base to every support. This small base is sufficient for most prints.
  • Additionally, you can add a base around the entire print using the Base Thickness setting. This makes it easier to remove the print from the build platform.

Warning

A thicker base does not improve print performance. A base of 0.400 mm or thicker may even make a print less likely to succeed.

5. Print

Arrange all of the models that you want to print, and then go to the Print tab.

  • Select your Layer Thickness. Ackuretta recommends a layer thickness of 100 microns.
  • Give your print a Job Name.
  • Click Save.

On your printer, make sure that your settings match what you need for your resin.

Diplo / Ackuray Print Settings

  • Buffer Layers: 5 layers
  • First Layer Curing: ×7

FreeShape 120 Settings

  • Burn-In Layers: 6 layers
  • Burn-In Layer Curing Time: ×3 curing time
  • Z-Axis Peel Speed: 900

6. Finishing

After printing, clean, dry, and cut your print supports.

  • Cleaning Alcohol: Ethyl alcohol (95%)
  • Ultrasonic Cleaner or Soak Time: 2 minutes
  • Suggested UV Oven: Ackuretta UV Oven
  • Suggested UV Oven Time: 30s top, turn over, 30s other side

Tip

Flash curing starts automatically when you press the Start button on the Ackuretta UV Oven. We strongly recommend you use flash curing because flash curing reduces resin distortion, but you can press and hold the Start button if you want to use continuous curing instead.