Dental Materials Applied to 3D and 4D Printing Technologies: A Review

Abstract

As computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technologies have matured, three-dimensional (3D) printing materials suitable for dentistry have attracted considerable research interest, owing to their high efficiency and low cost for clinical treatment. Three-dimensional printing technology, also known as additive manufacturing, has developed rapidly over the last forty years, with gradual application in various fields from industry to dental sciences. Four-dimensional (4D) printing, defined as the fabrication of complex spontaneous structures that change over time in response to external stimuli in expected ways, includes the increasingly popular bioprinting. Existing 3D printing materials have varied characteristics and scopes of application; therefore, categorization is required. This review aims to classify, summarize, and discuss dental materials for 3D printing and 4D printing from a clinical perspective. Based on these, this review describes four major materials, i.e., polymers, metals, ceramics, and biomaterials. The manufacturing process of 3D printing and 4D printing materials, their characteristics, applicable printing technologies, and clinical application scope are described in detail. Furthermore, the development of composite materials for 3D printing is the main focus of future research, as combining multiple materials can improve the materials’ properties. Updates in material sciences play important roles in dentistry; hence, the emergence of newer materials are expected to promote further innovations in dentistry.

Mechanical and Material Analysis of 3D-Printed Temporary Materials for Implant Reconstructions—A Pilot Study

“…The designed layer pattern is projected onto the flat surface of the resin, and the UV light cures the selected areas to form the object layer. This process is repeated until the printing is complete [26].…”

Criterios para la elección de biomateriales protésicos según sus propiedades fisicoquímicas para los sectores anterior y posterior. Una revisión exhaustiva

“…The fixed prosthetic treatment on a natural tooth or an implant presents a procedure to follow with several steps, starting with the realization of the design; then the definitive restoration will be made, which will comply with marked improvement in its physical, mechanical and biological properties 38 , 40 .…”

“…A FPD occludes with natural teeth, and these are in normocclusion, the masticatory load is regulated through the proprioceptors present in the periodontal ligament, thus allowing the application of greater force 38 .…”

Influence of various cleaning solutions on the geometry, roughness, gloss, hardness, and flexural strength of 3D-printed zirconia

“…Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is another computer-aided manufacturing technique [1,3] that has attracted extensive research attention owing to its superior characteristics, particularly in reducing material waste compared to subtractive manufacturing [4,5].…”