From Novelty to Necessity: Why 2026 is the Year 3D Printing Finally Outpaced the Mill

In this episode of Coffee Break with Coachman, Christian Coachman speaks with Wally Renne, a dentist and educator who specializes in digital technology. They discuss the current state of 3D printing in 2026, which is the year that printing adoption officially moved ahead of chairside milling in the United States.

The conversation focuses on the transition from using printers for simple models to implementing them for definitive clinical work, supported by the high scanner adoption rate of 78 percent among clinicians.

• The technical shift from 405nm to 385nm light sources, which allows for more accurate margins and thinner restorations.
• Why there is now "zero reason" to mill polymers, as modern resins offer better translucency and strength for daily use.
• The clinical efficiency of printing ten veneers in eight minutes using high-heat and high-light curing cycles.
• How 3D printed dentures are providing a better fit and more affordable care for the edentulous population.
• The concept of "transitional restorations", which is a workflow that allows patients to "test drive" a full mouth rehabilitation before committing to final ceramics.
• The financial reality of return on investment, where a complete printing system can often be paid for through a single multi-unit case.
• The role of AI in automating simple designs while maintaining the necessary human element for complex smile makeovers.

About the guest: Dr. Wally Renne is a dentist and educator, having previously served as Assistant Dean of Innovation and Director of the Digital Dentistry Residency at the Medical University of South Carolina. After operating two clinical practices focused on digital dentistry and dentures, he founded The MOD Institute to provide training in 3D printing and digital workflows. He is an active researcher with multiple patents in dental materials and technology, focusing on conservative dentistry and predictable clinical outcomes.