Texas state’s prison system will start providing toothless inmates with 3D-printed dentures
“Texas prisons were notorious for denying inmates access to dentures because chewing isn’t considered a medical necessity. That might no longer be the case in the near future, all thanks to 3D printing. The state’s prison system will start providing toothless inmates with 3D-printed dentures, according to the Houston Chronicle when Spring starts. It’ll avoid the need to transport prisoners to dental facilities across the state, since technicians can simply scan the mouth of the inmate and then send the images to the 3D printing facility. The process will take weeks instead of months, cutting down wait times significantly.
A Houston Chronicle report from September spurred the move. The report shed light on how Texas inmates need to be underweight or suffering from other medical complications just to secure a set of dentures. Some had their remaining teeth removed after being promised a set. Just to find out that they wouldn’t be able to get one later on. Consequently, forcing toothless inmates to drink pureed food or to give their gums a workout. Thus, 3D Printed Dentures for Texas inmates provides a major leap to their current condition.
Texas officials changed the system’s policy after the exposé, promising more dentures and more reasonable rules. Prison spokesperson Jeremy Desel said authorities believe 3D printing “will be the most efficient and cost-effective solution” to the problem. Especially, seeing that there’s an increasing number of elderly offenders within the system. While the state will have to purchase the 3D printing system for between $50,000 to $100,000, each set of dentures will only cost it $50.”
Article from: www.endgadget.com
Lorin Berland, DDS