As the inventor of SLA print technique, one of the key players of 3D market, 3D Systems aims to strengthen its position with an important venture. Buying dentistry product manufacturer Vertex, the firm will change the rapidly developing dental market.
Dental application with additive manufacturing gained the confidence of both doctors and patients with advantages. Deciding to invest in this demanded sector, 3D Systems bought 3D dental solutions manufacturer Vertex-Global. The company will add dentistry to its solutions including jewellery, architectural and industrial segments.
Vertex Dental and NextDent are leading global innovators and manufacturers of photopolymer, thermoplastic, polymer and monomer materials for traditional and 3D printing dental applications. NextDent has developed 12 dentistry 3D printing materials to date and has obtained regulatory approval for use of these materials in more than 70 countries worldwide. NextDent’s portfolio of 3D printing materials allow dental professionals to produce trays, models, drilling templates, dentures, orthodontic splints, crowns and bridges with enhanced speed, precision and efficiency and lower cost compared to conventional procedures.
“With the combination of our disruptive Figure 4 platform and NextDent’s revolutionary materials, we have the unique opportunity to deliver transformative digital production solutions from the dentist’s chair to the lab,” said Vyomesh Joshi, President and CEO, 3D Systems.
3D Systems will continue to offer Vertex Dental and NextDent’s existing portfolios and will continue to sell to and serve all current customers. Rik Jacobs, formerly CEO of NextDent & Vertex Dental, will join 3D Systems and lead the company’s worldwide dentistry business. Connie Peterse-van der Koppel, formerly Chief Development & Regulatory Officer of NextDent & Vertex Dental, will lead 3D Systems’ dental development and regulatory efforts. Together, with their teams, these leaders will continue to deliver materials innovation, regulatory compliance, manufacturing efficiency, and vertical solutions expertise to advance 3D Systems’ solutions across healthcare and other verticals.
“We believe 3D Systems is the perfect match to help accelerate adoption of 3D production in the dental industry and drive innovation towards next generation solutions,” commented Rik Jacobs, CEO, Vertex Dental and NextDent. “We are delighted to be part of this amazing team.”