In Africa, oral diseases are increasingly recognized as a major public health problem due to the rising burden of non-communicable diseases and their common modifiable risk factors. According to WHO 2017, approximately 400 million people suffered from some form of oral disease in the African Region. Addressing this challenge requires innovative solutions, and 3D printing is proving to be a game-changer as LabX Technologies is at the forefront of leveraging technology to provide cost-effective and local solutions to revolutionize dental healthcare in the region.
LabX Technologies is on a mission to solve age-old problems using modern-day solutions by harnessing the potential of 3D printing. LabX is addressing the accessibility issues associated with medical implants, offering locally made solutions that are not only affordable but also quickly accessible. The impact of their efforts in improving oral health is profound, providing high-quality dental implants to all those in need in record time.
Traditionally, dental implants in Tanzania are imported, resulting in exorbitant costs of around $300 to $900 and lengthy waiting times of up to three months, leaving patients prone to fitting errors. Driven by their passion to make dental crowns more accessible and affordable, LabX utilizes high-quality medically approved materials to create dental crowns that precisely match the patients' dental bridges. The cost of their 3D-printed crowns is 60% to 80% cheaper than the usual market value, and the waiting time is reduced to fewer than two hours, making quality dental care accessible to a wider population.
Embarking on their journey, LabX joined the PDP incubation program in 2022, and their first participation was in the healthcare innovation bootcamp. Ever since, LabX has been leveraging the support provided collectively by the consortium including access to high-capacity 3D printer to facilitate the manufacturing of competitive dental crowns and ensure commercialization. Moreover, LabX was among the first startups to be selected to participate in the Entrepreneurship in Residence program in Switzerland which further exposed them to strategically position themselves for success.
In a fast-moving world, it is crucial to embrace cutting-edge technologies like 3D printing for solving real-life challenges. Thanks to the unwavering support from the PDP that advocates for making localized solutions for localized problems, LabX has access to the equipment as well as expertise to guide them through their product development. LabX ensures the quality of its products by using medically approved high-quality materials that can last up to 40 years in the human mouth since the additive manufacturing process provides ensures layer by layer is built up to create a final product. Moreover, LabX has been able to secure a partnership with dental clinics that reveal the acceptance and positive shifts brought by LabX to the dental healthcare landscape.
As LabX continues to grow and expand, the impact of 3D printing on dental healthcare is set to soar. The combination of affordability, accessibility, and speed provided by 3D printing is transforming the way dental implants are produced and delivered. With LabX Technologies leading the charge, the dream of providing high-quality dental care to everyone in need is no longer a distant vision but a tangible reality. The fusion of technology and compassion is paving the way for a brighter, healthier, and more confident smile for all.
You can watch to learn more about LabX Technologies through the link below:
First Published: 26 July 2023
