3D Printing: Techniques and Application in Dentistry: A Review

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies are advanced manufacturing techniques that use computer-aided design digital models for the automated manufacture of customized 3D products.With a history spanning over three decades, these technologies have found widespread applications across various industries, including design, engineering, and manufacturing.Within the realm of process engineering, 3D printing brings numerous advantages and finds applications in diverse fields such as prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral implantology, orthodontics, endodontics, and periodontology.The purpose of this paper is to provide a practical and technical overview of 3D printing technology by introducing modern 3D printing processes such as powder bed fusion, photopolymerization molding, and fused deposition modeling.Furthermore, it delves into the clinical applications of 3D printing in dentistry, including the creation of functional models and primary applications in prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and oral implantology.The benefits of 3D printing technologies encompass efficient material utilization and the capability to fabricate intricate geometries, but they come with drawbacks such as high costs and time-intensive post-processing.Looking ahead, the future trajectory of 3D printing in dentistry points toward the evolution of new materials and technologies, leaving no doubt that 3D printing holds a promising and vibrant future within the field.