Additive Manufacturing in Dentistry: Current Technologies, Clinical Applications, and Limitations

This review aimed to illustrate the utility of additive manufacturing technologies for the fabrication of polymer, metal, and ceramic components within the confines of their current and potential clinical applications in dentistry. The literature reviewed on five additive manufacturing technologies, namely, vat-polymerization, material jetting, material extrusion, powder-based fusion, and binder jetting, have been investigated in relevance to their dental applications. These technologies have the following existing or potential clinical applications: diagnostic and definitive casts, custom trays, positioning guides for custom abutments, tooth preparation guides, interim dental restorations, all-ceramic crowns, metal crowns and copings, silicone indices, occlusal devices, complete dentures, wax patterns for intra- and extra-coronal restorations, surgical guides, removable partial dentures, and tooth- or implant-supported frameworks. Vat-polymerization, material jetting, and powder-based fusion technologies have existing clinical applications utilizing mainly polymers and metals. Additive manufacturing technologies need further development to be used with ceramic materials for dental applications.