Formlabs 4B vs. VHF E4 - AL SHARAA DENT

Which Device Is Right for Your Clinic?

If you're considering going digital, choosing between a 3D printer like the Formlabs Form 4B and a milling machinelike the VHF E4 depends on several factors—including your specialty, clinical workflow, and future goals.

Let’s break it down:

⚙️ Technology Type

	Formlabs Form 4B	VHF E4 Milling Machine
Type	3D Printer (SLA technology)	Milling Machine (Subtractive manufacturing)
Workflow	Prints models, splints, surgical guides, custom trays, temporary crowns, aligners	Mills inlays, onlays, veneers, crowns, bridges from blocks like zirconia, e.max, PMMA
Output Quality	High precision resin prints	High-strength, long-lasting restorations

⚕️ Best for Which Type of Dentist?

Specialty	Formlabs Form 4B	VHF E4 Milling Machine
Orthodontists	✅ Great for printing aligners, retainers, and study models	❌ Not suitable
Implantologists	✅ Ideal for surgical guides, models	✅ For milling custom abutments (if combined with proper software and scanner)
General Dentists	✅ Good for models and temporaries	✅✅ Excellent for in-house permanent restorations
Prosthodontists	✅ Useful for printing wax-ups, try-ins	✅✅ Best for chairside prosthetics (crowns, inlays, veneers)

💫 Ease of Use & Experience Needed

	Formlabs Form 4B	VHF E4 Milling Machine
Beginner-Friendly	✅ Very easy to use with simple software	✅ Requires light training, but intuitive interface
Learning Curve	Low – designed for first-time users	Moderate – especially if new to milling workflows
Included Support	Setup, online support, material guidance	Free installation, full training, and after-sales service

💰 Investment, ROI & Running Costs

	Formlabs Form 4B	VHF E4 Milling Machine
Initial Cost	Lower	Higher upfront, higher ROI
Running Cost	Resin and consumables can add up monthly	Milling blocks and burs (slightly higher per unit, but permanent restorations = higher value)
Return on Investment	Slower ROI (depends on case type and patient volume)	Fast ROI (4–6 months if lab work is 80–100 units/month)
Profit Potential	Moderate (supportive role in treatment)	High (core revenue driver through same-day dentistry)

🏆 Key Advantages

	Formlabs Form 4B	VHF E4 Milling Machine
Same-Day Dentistry	❌ Not suitable for permanent same-day restorations	✅ Ideal for same-day crowns, veneers, inlays
Flexibility	✅ Wide range of printable applications (splints, models, guides, etc.)	✅ Covers 90% of restorative cases in-house
Lab Independence	Partial	Near full independence from external labs
Speed	Prints multiple cases overnight	Mills most crowns in under 20 minutes

🔎 So, Which One Should You Choose?

✅ Choose the Formlabs Form 4B if:

You’re an orthodontist, implantologist, or general dentist needing models, guides, trays, splints, and temporaries
You want a low-cost entry into digital dentistry
You plan to complement your lab work, not fully replace it
You're looking for a supportive device to streamline planning and diagnostics

✅✅ Choose the VHF E4 if:

You're a general dentist or prosthodontist looking to produce permanent restorations in-house
You want to implement same-day dentistry and reduce dependency on labs
Your clinic already sends 80+ lab units per month
You're aiming for fast ROI and long-term profit
You want to elevate the patient experience with faster turnaround and higher quality control

🧠 Final Thoughts

Both the Formlabs Form 4B and VHF E4 offer outstanding capabilities—but serve very different roles. For most general practices, the VHF E4 will have a stronger impact on ROI and profitability, while the Form 4B is a powerful complementary tool.

Still unsure which one suits you best?
👉 Try our ROI calculator or request a demo and we’ll guide you based on your clinic's actual needs and workload.

At Alsharaa Dent, we don’t just sell devices.
We help you build smart, profitable workflows—right inside your clinic.