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

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.

Automated summary

3D printing in dentistry allows for patient-specific devices, mass customization, and digital workflow with lower cost and quick turnaround time. Additionally, 4D printing has shown promising effects in dentistry by producing dynamic and adaptable materials that are effective in the oral environment. Future research aims to produce a fully integrated tooth with the surrounding periodontium using 4D printing technology. The use of additive manufacturing in dentistry primarily focuses on producing polymeric constructs due to the wide selection of available materials and their versatility.