ADVANCEMENTS IN 3D PRINTING FOR DENTAL PROSTETICS :A REVIEW OF CURRENT TRENDS AND APPLICATIONS

3D printing has sparked a major revolution in the field of dental prosthetics by offering never-before levels of customization, accuracy, and efficiency in production. As an extension of digital dentistry, 3D printing provides suitable fabrication of dental prostheses using additive manufacturing techniques such as stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), or fused deposition modeling (FDM). These technologies have made things easier from the time of intraoral scanning and computer-aided design (CAD) to the actual production of working dental appliances. This review aims to bring forth the current trends, innovations in materials, and clinical applications of 3D printing in the field of prosthodontics. Using recent peer-reviewed literature, we weigh the benefits of 3D printing against those of traditional methods concerning turnaround time, patient comfort, and reproducibility. These are opposed by drawbacks such as fewer options for materials, the expense entailed in acquiring state-of-the-art equipment, and long-term clinical proof for some applications. From the primary overview emerges a rapid evolution in printable biomaterials, including biocompatible resins, polymers, and metal alloys; adoption of digital workflows in dental laboratories and clinics has also grown. Prominent trends seem to include integration with AI, hybrid printing methods, and the potential for smart prosthetic devices. In a clinical prosthodontic setting, 3D printing allows far-reaching implications for treatment that is more accessible, more accurate, and more patient specific. Thus, interdisciplinary research and regulatory standardization are necessary to maximize the potential in the long run.