WHITE PAPER
Formlabs Logo

Using IBT Resin

Using IBT Resin

Notice:

To avoid damage to equipment, check the resin tank compatibility table in Choosing the right material to confirm you are using a resin tank that is compatible with this material.

IBT Resin is a resin designed for manufacturing indirect bonding trays for orthodontic bracket placement. The transparent, flexible material holds brackets in place for installation and bonding. The appliance allows orthodontists to place and bond all brackets at the same time, reducing chair time and increasing patient comfort.

Digital case planning eliminates the need for physical models and streamlines the process. The material is designed so that if excess force is applied during removal, the appliance will tear instead of altering bracket placement.

IBT Resin prints at 100 microns.

Indirect bonding tray with orthodontic brackets

Note:

To learn more about the performance or specific material properties of IBT Resin, please refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and Technical Data Sheet (TDS). Always consult the SDS as the primary source of information to understand safety and handling of Formlabs materials.

Required resources

Made by Formlabs:

Made by third parties:

  • Desktop scanner
  • Cutting and finishing tools
  • Dental design software or outsourcing to a dental design provider
  • Opaque or amber containers for appliance storage
  • CBCT scanner (optional)
  • Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) ≥96%

Workflow overview

Notice:

This is an abbreviated version of Indirect Bonding Trays for Orthodontic Bracket Placement With Formlabs 3D Printers [en]. Read the application guide for detailed instructions about the workflow for IBT Resin.

Scan

In order to 3D print an indirect bonding tray, use a scanner to collect anatomical data of the patient’s dentition. Some CAD software also uses CBCT data when available.

Design

Use orthodontic CAD software to plan the treatment and design the indirect bonding tray before printing. Choose software that offers open STL file export. The exact design steps vary for each software package, so contact the software provider for more details.

Print

Notice:

To avoid damage to equipment, check the resin tank compatibility table in Choosing the right material to confirm you are using a resin tank that is compatible with this material.

Install or update PreForm, then set up the next print job.

To prepare a model for printing in PreForm:

  1. Open a model.
  2. Select the resin, resin version, and the desired layer thickness.
  3. Orient to preserve fine details.
  4. Generate supports.
  5. Send the print job to the printer.

Always position the appliance with the intaglio surface facing away from the build platform. Bar-type appliances can be oriented flat on the build platform.

Bar type appliance oriented flat on the build platform

Orient offset type appliances parallel to the build platform or at a maximum of 45°. Once in position, automatically generate supports in PreForm.

Note:

Uncheck the Internal Supports box to prevent generation of unnecessary support structures.

Offset type appliance oriented in PreForm

Notice:

For full compliance and biocompatibility, IBT Resin requires a dedicated resin tank, build platform, and Finish Kit, which should not be used with any other resins.

Finishing

The Form Wash agitates the solvent bath and removes parts from the bath after a set time. Wash parts according to the support article Form Wash time settings. Pay particular attention to information that affects mechanical properties or biocompatibility requirements.

If the model is hollow or has internal channels, ensure liquid resin is flushed out thoroughly from these features.

Post-curing requirements

IBT Resin requires post-curing to reach its optimal mechanical properties. Allow parts to air dry for at least 30 minutes before post-curing.

Refer to the support article Form Cure time and temperature settings for post-curing recommendations.

If the appliance has supports, remove them using the flush cutters provided in the Finish Kit or sharp scissors.

Removing supports from indirect bonding tray

Additional resources