Nagaland launches state’s first 3D dental printing laboratory at NHAK, transforming regional healthcare with advanced technology.
In a major breakthrough for healthcare in Nagaland, the first 3D dental printing laboratory in the state was inaugurated at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) on Sunday.
The state-of-the-art facility was inaugurated by the Commissioner & Secretary, Government of Nagaland’s Health & Family Welfare Department on May 5, making the state one of the leading regions in dental technology.
The project is entirely funded by the Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE) through a joint venture of various organizations such as the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), North Eastern Council (NEC) and Assam Electronics Development Corporation Ltd. (AMTRON).
The foundation for this technological breakthrough was established on March 19, 2024, when AMTRON and NHAK signed a memorandum of understanding to develop the facility.
Patients visiting the dental department at NHAK would now experience significantly enhanced care with precise diagnostic models, guided surgery-indications and customised 3D printed dental products in the form of crowns, dentures, and aligners.
The technology holds potential to cut waste compared with conventional dental practices and to deliver some printed prosthetics on the same day based on a scan.
This is in line with GOI’s overall approach to not only introduce India as a torchbearer for Industry 4.0 innovation to become a reality, but also develop a foothold as far as the North East region is concerned.
The 3D dental laboratory is part of a larger initiative to implement Digital Public Infrastructure for 3D printing across all northeastern states, according to officials at the inauguration.
NHAK has extended an invitation to local residents to visit the Department of Dentistry to explore the benefits of this groundbreaking technology.
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For Nagaland citizens, the new facility means reduced wait times for dental procedures, better-fitting dental appliances, and potentially lower costs for specialized treatments that previously required travel to distant urban centers.
