Three-dimensional Printing in Dentistry: From Digital Workflow to Clinical Applications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48165/ajm.2026.9.02.25Keywords:
3D printing, additive manufacturing, digital dentistry, CAD/CAM, dental applicationsAbstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printing has become an important technology in modern digital dentistry, enabling the fabrication of customized dental structures directly from digital designs. This narrative review highlights the basic digital workflow of 3D printing, including scanning, computer-aided design, printing, and post-processing. Its applications in prosthodontics, implant dentistry, orthodontics, restorative dentistry, and oral surgery are discussed. The major advantages, including customization, accuracy, reduced material wastage, and efficient fabrication, are considered along with limitations such as cost, material properties, post-processing requirements, and technical expertise. With continued advances in materials, artificial intelligence, and digital workflows, 3D printing is expected to play an increasingly important role in clinical dentistry.
References
Sahrir, C. D., Wang, C. W., Shen, Y. K., & Lin, W. C. (2026). Three-dimensional printing in dentistry: Evolution, technologies, and clinical application. Polymers, 18(7), 785.
Monalisa, S., Alipuor, M., Paul, D., Rahman, M. A., Siddika, N., Apu, E. H., & Mostafiz, R. B. (2025). Transforming dental care, practice and education with additive manufacturing and 3D printing: Innovations in materials, technologies, and future pathways. Dentistry Journal, 13(12), 555.
Habib, A. A. I., & Sheikh, N. A. (2022). 3D printing review in numerous applications for dentistry. Journal of the Institution of Engineers (India): Series C, 103, 991–1000.
Dawood, A., Marti, B. M., Sauret-Jackson, V., & Darwood, A. (2015). 3D printing in dentistry. British Dental Journal, 219, 521–529.
Chen, Y., & Wei, J. (2025). Application of 3D printing technology in dentistry: A review. Polymers, 17, 886.
Lin, L., Fang, Y., Liao, Y., Chen, G., Gao, C., & Zhu, P. (2019). 3D printing and digital processing techniques in dentistry: A review of literature. Advanced Engineering Materials, 21, 1801013.
Liaw, C. Y., & Guvendiren, M. (2017). Current and emerging applications of 3D printing in medicine. Biofabrication, 9, 024102. https://doi.org/10.1088/1758-5090/aa7279
Alharbi, N., Wismeijer, D., & Osman, R. B. (2017). Additive manufacturing techniques in prosthodontics: Where do we currently stand? A critical review. International Journal of Prosthodontics, 30, 474–484.
Galiatsatos, P., & Galiatsatos, A. (2026). 3D printing techniques for dental prosthetic models: A narrative review and contemporary perspectives. Cureus, 18(2), e103077.
Lin, W. S., Harris, B. T., & Morton, D. (2017). Use of CBCT imaging, open-source modeling software, and desktop stereolithography 3D printing to duplicate a removable dental prosthesis—A proof of concept. Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry, 38, e5–e8.
Uçar, Y., Aysan Meriç, İ., & Ekren, O. (2019). Layered manufacturing of dental ceramics: Fracture mechanics, microstructure, and elemental composition of lithography-sintered ceramic. Journal of Prosthodontics, 28, e310–e318.
Pillai, S., Upadhyay, A., Khayambashi, P., Farooq, I., Sabri, H., Tarar, M., Lee, K. T., Harb, I., Zhou, S., & Wang, Y. (2021). Dental 3D-printing: Transferring art from the laboratories to the clinics. Polymers, 13, 157.
Pradíes, G., Morón-Conejo, B., Martínez-Rus, F., Salido, M. P., & Berrendero, S. (2024). Current applications of 3D printing in dental implantology: A scoping review mapping the evidence. Clinical Oral Implants Research, 35(8), 1011–1032.
Dubey, S., Prasad Dash, B., Mohanty, B., Jena, S., Sahoo, N., & Singh, S. (2025). 3D printing in orthodontics—Past, present and future: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Bioinformation, 21(6), 1766–1774.
Ergül, T., Güleç, A., & Göymen, M. (2023). The use of 3D printers in orthodontics—A narrative review. Turkish Journal of Orthodontics, 36(2), 134–142.
Kaur, K., Saini, R. S., Vaddamanu, S. K., Bavabeedu, S. S., Gurumurthy, V., Sainudeen, S., Mathew, V. B., Khateeb, S. U., Mokhlesi, A., Mosaddad, S. A., & Heboyan, A. (2025). Exploring technological progress in three-dimensional imaging for root canal treatments: A systematic review. International Dental Journal, 75(2), 1097–1112.
Zoabi, A., Redenski, I., Oren, D., Kasem, A., Zigron, A., Daoud, S., Moskovich, L., Kablan, F., & Srouji, S. (2022). 3D printing and virtual surgical planning in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(9), 2385.
