From Bottleneck to Breakthrough: The Argen Canada Digital Center Story
Learn how Argen Canada Digital Center (ACDC) automated their dental 3D printing workflow to produce 50+ bite splints daily using Rapid Shape and biocompatible resin.
How Did Argen Canada Automate Their Dental 3D Printing Workflow?
Argen Canada Digital Center (ACDC) transformed their dental lab from a manual bottleneck into a fully automated 3D printing powerhouse using Rapid Shape. By standardizing file preparation, print profiles, and post-processing with validated WASH and CURE workflows, ACDC scaled from limited capacity to producing 50+ bite splints daily — without adding headcount.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital dentistry, growth is often a double-edged sword. For Argen Canada, success in their outsource services led to a common but crippling industry challenge: the production bottleneck. Evan Katz, a digital dentistry expert, recently shared how the Argen Canada Digital Center (ACDC) transformed its dental 3D printing workflow from labor-intensive manual processing to a streamlined, automated powerhouse.
This case study breaks down how they rebuilt their dental 3D printing workflow from the ground up.
The Challenge of Exponential Growth
The ACDC, a nearly 10,000-square-foot facility in Toronto, launched its outsourced bite splint service with a commitment to high-quality, hand-polished night guards.
While this commitment fueled massive growth, it pushed their manual workflow to its limits. Processing 50+ bite splints a day became a significant labor drain. Technicians were spending the majority of their time “babysitting” the dental 3D printer, refilling dental resin, and flipping parts in small curing units.
The Turning Point: Embracing Automation in 3D Printing in Dentistry
In October 2025, ACDC overhauled its dental 3D printing workflow by integrating the Rapid Shape ecosystem. The goal was simple: create massive labor efficiencies and reduce physical pressure on the team.
1. Continuous Production with the D50+ Series
The introduction of the D50+ allowed ACDC to move away from “one-and-done” printing. Using the Automatic Separation Module (ASM) and the automatic refill system for dental grade resin, the lab can now run up to six consecutive jobs without human intervention.
- The Game Changer: A front-loading basket with a foot sensor. Technicians retrieve completed prints while the printer is mid-job, ensuring the digital dentistry 3D printing process never stops.
2. Solving the Post-Processing “Time Suck”
Before the upgrade, curing was the primary bottleneck. ACDC used multiple small units requiring manual flipping of parts halfway through.
- The Solution: The Rapid Shape Cure XL. This high-capacity unit cures over 50 bite splints in just 10 minutes. Because of the unit’s “floating glass” technology, light penetrates all sides of the biocompatible resin simultaneously, eliminating the need for manual flipping.
Precision and Fit: KeySplint Soft & Argen Model Pro
Automation didn’t come at the cost of quality. Evan Katz demonstrated that the new workflow produces splints with an intimate fit. By utilizing KeySplint Soft resin and Argen Model Pro Resin, the ACDC team verified that high-accuracy printing results in a restoration that requires minimal clinical adjustment.
The Results: A Proven Dental 3D Printing Workflow for Modern Labs
Today, the ACDC workflow is a model of efficiency. By reducing “touch points”, the number of times a human has to interact with a part, Argen Canada has reclaimed hundreds of labor hours. Their team can now focus on quality control and scaling rather than manual labor.
As Evan Katz puts it, the shift was about “controlling our productivity rather than letting a printer control it.”
Frequently Asked Questions About 3D Printing in Dentistry
What is 3D printing in dentistry?
3D printing in dentistry refers to the use of additive manufacturing technology to produce dental restorations such as dentures, crowns, surgical guides, and models using validated dental 3D printers and biocompatible resin materials.
How are dental 3D printers used in denture fabrication?
Dental 3D printers fabricate denture bases and teeth from digital files created with intraoral scanners and dental CAD software, allowing precise, repeatable, and efficient production.
What materials are used in dental resin 3D printing?
Dental 3D printers fabricate denture bases and teeth from digital files created with intraoral scanners and dental CAD software, allowing precise, repeatable, and efficient production.
What are the advantages of digital dentures over traditional dentures?
Digital dentures provide improved accuracy, streamlined workflows, reduced chair time, reproducibility, and enhanced patient comfort through digital impressions and 3D printing technology.
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