How to Design, Print, and Finish a Gingiva Mask Model with the Shining 3D AccuWare Workflow

Why a separate gingiva mask model?

For implant planning and crown buildups, a removable gingiva (soft-tissue) mask lets you evaluate emergence profile, soft-tissue pressure, and final seating without guessing. By printing a standard dental model and a separate, softer gingiva insert, you get a realistic “spongy” interface that mirrors tissue behavior when you seat the restoration.

In this guide you’ll learn:

  • How to obtain a ready-to-print gingiva mask design

  • Proven AccuWare print settings for soft-tissue resins

  • When to use supports (and when not to)

  • Post-processing tips to reduce cleanup and reprints

Step 1: Get the design (fast) with Shining 3D Design Services

You do not need to own a full CAD suite.

  1. Create/Sign in to your Shining 3D account (free).

  2. Go to s.dental3dcloud.com → Design Services.

  3. Choose Implant → 3D Model and select the separated gingiva mask option.

  4. Upload case files: upper, lower, occlusion; include scan-body and gingival data if available.

  5. Set preferences (FDI or Universal numbering, jaw frame, hollow/solid, analog gap. e.g., 0.05 mm is a common starting point).

  6. Submit. Turnaround is typically ~1 day and you’ll receive STL files compatible with any print software.

Why this route? Exocad can cost ~$10–13k plus ~$2k/yr; the Shining design service is inexpensive, fast, and accurate freeing you to focus on clinical and production work.

Step 2: Prep the base model

For the main dental model, you can print:

  • Hollow models (use default supports the arch can sag without them), or

  • Honeycomb/solid models (often fine direct on the build plate).

Shawn typically prints the model in a Shining model resin (e.g., Ortho Dental Model 02), which yields crisp margins and reliable fit.

Step 3: Configure resin + machine correctly (safety check)

In two places you must confirm the resin:

  1. On the printer touchscreen: choose manufacturer and resin type actually loaded.

  2. In AccuWare: choose the same manufacturer and resin profile for the print job.

This cross-check prevents misprints if you run multiple printers/tanks with different resins.

Resin for the gingiva insert: Shawn uses Licrete Gingiva Mask (soft-tissue) and prints at 0.1 mm layers. In testing, 0.05 mm offered no practical advantage and can underperform with some resins due to optical effects. Recommendation: start at 0.1 mm.

Step 4: Orient, support, and test (the “do it once right” method)

Because gingiva inserts are small, delicate, and printed in a soft resin, take a few minutes to test your setup. Shawn printed five identical inserts to compare:

  • A. Flat side directly on build plate, no supports

  • B. Supported (default): 0.7 mm tip / 0.9 mm trunk / 2.0 mm spacing

  • C. Supported (lighter): 0.5 mm tip / 0.9 mm trunk / 2.5 mm spacing

  • Variations with the gingival surface oriented down vs. up

Results you can copy:

  • All variations stayed affixed and printed correctly at 0.1 mm.

  • Thinner supports (0.5 mm tip) worked fine and broke away easily – less cleanup.

  • Best overall outcome: print the insert flat on the build plate with no supports. It produced the cleanest part with no nubs to remove. Perfect for soft resin that’s tough to buff.

Pro tip: Save your tested support preset in AccuWare (e.g., Gingiva 0.5 / 0.9 / 2.5) for one-click reuse.

Step 5: Wash without slowing production

Shawn uses Shining’s FabWash:

  1. Load the entire build plate.

  2. The unit cuts prints off the plate into a basket and runs ultrasonic + agitation wash.

  3. The build plate itself is not washed, so you can immediately return it to the printer for the next job.

  4. If needed, wash the plate separately.

Pro tip: If a print ever fails and a piece drops into the tank, use Resin Cure to polymerize a thin layer at the bottom so debris sticks together then peel it off in one sheet.

Step 6: Post-cure smart

Cure times vary by resin and part thickness. Follow the bottle/printer defaults as a baseline, then tune:

  • Small, thin gingiva inserts generally need less time than bulky models.

  • After curing, the part should not feel tacky.

  • Slight “over-cure” for soft tissue is okay if it preserves edge integrity.

Step 7: Seat the insert and check fit

Once cured, the gingiva mask drops into the model’s cutout with a precise fit. You should see:

  • Clean margins

  • Stable seating

  • Realistic “give” under pressure when test-seating crowns and checking contacts

Maintenance, tanks & cost control (don’t skip this)

  • Inspect the tank film periodically; replace film when dimpled/rough to avoid adhesion issues and artifacts.

  • Some systems require replacing the entire tank; Shining allows film-only replacement which is far less expensive over time.

  • Keep multiple tanks (different resins ready-to-go) so you rarely need to decant resin.

  • If a model detaches mid-print, filter resin or use the Resin Cure trick above before the next job.

When to use supports for gingiva masks

  • Use supports if you print a full horseshoe gingiva mask or a large, heavy insert.

  • Prefer lighter tips (≈0.5 mm) and wider spacing (≥2.5 mm) to minimize post-processing.

  • For small segment inserts, go flat on plate with no supports when possible.

Quick reference: Shawn’s working settings

  • Printer: Shining 3D (e.g., L4D)

  • Software: AccuWare

  • Gingiva resin: Licrete Gingiva Mask

  • Layer height: 0.1 mm

  • Orientation: Flat side down on build plate (preferred)

  • Supports: None (preferred) or 0.5 mm tip / 0.9 mm trunk / 2.5 mm spacing

  • Model resin: Shining model resin (e.g., Ortho Dental Model 02)

  • Model type: Hollow (with supports) or honeycomb/solid (direct on plate)

  • Model Cleaning: FabWash

FAQ

Do I need Exocad to make these models?
No. Use Shining 3D Design Services – upload scans, pick the separated gingiva mask option, and receive print-ready STLs in about a day.

Why not print at 0.05 mm?
With many soft resins, 0.05 mm doesn’t improve clinical quality and can reduce reliability. 0.1 mm is the sweet spot here.

My small inserts keep detaching. What should I change?
Increase support tip size slightly, add a raft, or switch to flat on plate. Confirm the resin profile matches on both printer and AccuWare.

How do I keep tanks healthy?
Regularly inspect/replace the film; clear debris via Resin Cure; maintain separate tanks for common resins to avoid frequent pours.

Ready to add gingiva mask printing to your workflow?

Sodium Dental equips practices and labs with Shining 3D scanners, printers, resins, carts, and training. Plus the tech support to keep you printing reliably.

→ Book a live demo or get setup help today.