Additive Manufactured Polymers in Dentistry, Current State-of-the-Art and Future Perspectives-A Review

Abstract

3D-printing application in dentistry not only enables the manufacture of patient-specific devices and tissue constructs, but also allows mass customization, as well as digital workflow, with predictable lower cost and rapid turnaround times. 4D printing also shows a good impact in dentistry, as it can produce dynamic and adaptable materials, which have proven effective in the oral environment, under its continuously changing thermal and humidity conditions. It is expected to further boost the research into producing a whole tooth, capable to harmoniously integrate with the surrounding periodontium, which represents the ultimate goal of tissue engineering in dentistry. Because of their high versatility associated with the wide variety of available materials, additive manufacturing in dentistry predominantly targets the production of polymeric constructs. The aim of this narrative review is to catch a glimpse of the current state-of-the-art of additive manufacturing in dentistry, and the future perspectives of this modern technology, focusing on the specific polymeric materials.

Novel Prosthetic Solutions for High-Quality Aesthetics

“…Dental computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) applications also became available in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Since then, due to continuous developments, the CAD/CAM technology, either subtractive or additive, has metamorphosed itself not only in the greatest success of contemporary prosthodontics but also disseminated in other dental specialties, as well as in promising emerging domains, such as tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, with outstanding future applications in the dental field [20].…”

“…Mainly, different types of resin-based materials and alloys were used for fabricating prosthetic restorations. By means of 3D printing, not only various prosthetics can be fabricated, but tissue constructs, as well [20].…”

Effect of Surface Polishing on Physical Properties of an Occlusal Splint Material for Additive Manufacturing under Protection Gas Post-Curing Condition

“…The fabrication of prostheses and oral appliances using digital technology has been recently applied in several clinical situations [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. The mainstream methods for the fabrication of dental objects using digital technologies can be classified into milling and additive manufacturing, which is well known as 3D printing [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. As reported in previous studies, objects fabricated by milling have advantages in terms of strength and fitting accuracy [ 7 , 8 ], while additive manufacturing can provide objects with minimal cutting material waste at a low cost [ 9 ].…”

Ceramic veneer shade evaluation using a multicolored 3D‐printed model—A case report

“…Then, the material is immediately exposed to ultraviolet light for photo-polymerization. 13 This enables 3D-printers to apply different materials and colors for different layers and locations. This multi-color printing is a special feature of material jetting technology and has great potential for applications when fabricating objects with color variations.…”

“…On the other hand, material jetting involves jetting small drops of material directly to the build platform from an array of nozzles. Then, the material is immediately exposed to ultraviolet light for photo‐polymerization 13 . This enables 3D‐printers to apply different materials and colors for different layers and locations.…”