Current 3D Printing and Developed 4D Printing Technologies in Dentistry

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has become an integral component of digital dentistry by enabling the rapid and precise fabrication of patient-specific dental devices through computer-aided design and manufacturing processes. Currently, 3D printing technologies are widely used to produce dental models, surgical guides, orthodontic appliances, splints, and provisional restorations, thereby improving efficiency and accuracy in clinical and laboratory procedures. Despite these advantages, conventional 3D printed structures remain static and may have limitations in adapting to the dynamic oral environment. In this context, four-dimensional (4D) printing has emerged as an advanced approach that incorporates time-dependent transformations using smart materials that respond to external stimuli such as temperature, pH, light, or moisture. This technology has the potential to enable adaptive dental devices, including self-adjusting orthodontic appliances, responsive prosthetic structures, and bioactive scaffolds for tissue engineering. Although 4D printing is still in its early stages of development, it offers promising opportunities for personalized, dynamic treatment strategies in dentistry. Further research focusing on material development, biocompatibility, and long-term clinical performance is required to facilitate its translation into routine dental practice.