3D and 4D printing in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery: Recent advances and future perspectives

TL;DR

This review discusses recent advances in 3D and 4D printing technologies used in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery, highlighting new applications, available technologies, and materials to improve patient-specific treatments.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of recent technological progress and applications of 3D/4D printing in dental and maxillofacial procedures, including critiques of available materials.

Findings

Advances enable custom manufacturing of dental implants and surgical guides.

Various 3D printing technologies are now applicable in dentistry.

Recent reports demonstrate successful clinical applications.

Abstract

3D and 4D printing are cutting-edge technologies for precise and expedited manufacturing of objects ranging from plastic to metal. Recent advances in 3D and 4D printing technologies in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery enable dentists to custom design and print surgical drill guides, temporary and permanent crowns and bridges, orthodontic appliances and orthotics, implants, mouthguards for drug delivery. In the present review, different 3D printing technologies available for use in dentistry are highlighted together with a critique on the materials available for printing. Recent reports of the application of these printed platformed are highlighted to enable readers appreciate the progress in 3D/4D printing in dentistry.