The Maxwell Medical Group’s Dental Flight, the dental unit at Maxwell Air Force Base (AFB) in Alabama, is enhancing support for active-duty Airmen by expanding advanced oral surgery services and adopting digital dentistry tools. These upgrades allow the clinic to handle complex procedures in-house, improving efficiency and continuity of care for service members.
The core mission of the dental flight remains maintaining the readiness of active-duty members.“The unit’s overall mission is to make sure that our active-duty members are able to be fit and ready,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ernessie Ladouceur, Maxwell Medical Group dental flight chief. “So that way when they’re out there, they’re not having to worry about something like a toothache.”
U.S. Air Force Capt. Thomas Hardison, comprehensive dentist, Maxwell Medical Group, reviews a 3D impression of a patient’s teeth at Maxwell Air Force Base.Photo via Maxwell Medical Group’s Dental Flight.
Modernization and Digital Dentistry
Recent upgrades at the clinic include sedation capabilities, as well as a broader range of procedures such as implants, sinus lifts, ridge augmentation, and periodontal surgeries. A key focus has been the adoption of digital dentistry, including 3D scanning, printing, and milling, which reduces chair time and increases precision.
“We have two 3D printers up and running now,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Thomas Hardison. “We do most everything digitally now. So, we scan everything, 3D print models, and mill restorations.”
Keeping these services within the military health system also ensures centralized access to medical records, benefiting continuity of care.“I think the impact is the continuity of care. More patients are being able to have their care here with us and not seeing a provider off base,” said Ladouceur. “It’s one less thing they have to worry about.”
U.S. Air Force Capt. Taylor Smith, general dentist, Maxwell Medical Group, reviews a patient’s dental x-ray at Maxwell Air Force Base. Photo via Maxwell Medical Group’s Dental Flight.
3D Printing Enters Wider Dentistry Practices
Manufacturing on Demand
The adoption of digital dentistry at Maxwell Medical Group reflects a broader transformation in the field. 3D printing is redefining dental care by reducing appointments, improving fit, and addressing a shrinking dental workforce.
In a recent interview, Chris Kabot, VP of Dental at 3D printer OEM Stratasys, explained that digital dentures can reduce treatment from seven visits to two or three while improving precision from ±400 microns to as fine as ±100 microns using PolyJet jetting technology. Intraoral scans, cloud-based design, and multi-material 3D printing allow dentures to be produced in multiple colors and materials simultaneously, eliminating extra steps required by milling or DLP methods. This workflow also boosts technician efficiency, enabling up to 40 dentures to be printed in 10 hours while maintaining patient-specific quality. Stratasys’ systems, including the J3, J5, and DentalJet XL, now support nearly all denture types, improving accessibility, comfort, and precision, and helping dental teams meet growing demand from an aging population.
Recent patient cases highlight the clinical impact of 3D printing beyond dentures. Last year, Boston Micro Fabrication’s dental unit, UltraThineer, treated a 36-year-old patient with aesthetic and functional dental issues using 16 no-prep 3D printed zirconia veneers. The patient had overjet, misalignment, shade variations, and wear from bruxism, and sought a minimally invasive solution. After diagnostic scans and planning, veneers were placed on the upper and lower arches using shade BL3 to achieve a uniform yet natural look, with subtle corrections to enhance symmetry without altering the patient’s unique dental character.
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Author: Paloma Duran
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