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CAD/CAM and 3D-Printing Applications for Alveolar Ridge Augmentation
Howard H Yen1, Panagiota G Stathopoulou2
1Postdoctoral Periodontics Resident, Department of Periodontics, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Purpose Of Review:
CAD/CAM and 3D-printing are emerging manufacturing technologies in dentistry. In the field of alveolar ridge augmentation, graft customization utilizing these technologies can result in significant reduction of surgical time. A review of the literature on materials, techniques and applications of CAD/CAM and 3D-printing available for alveolar ridge augmentation was performed.
Recent Findings:
CAD/CAM applications for milling of customized block grafts of allogeneic, xenogeneic, and alloplastic origins have been reported, and currently only limited products are commercially available. 3D-printing applications are limited to alloplastic graft materials and containment shells, and have been mostly used in animal studies for optimizing biomaterials' properties.
Summary:
While current data support the potential use of CAD/CAM and 3D-printing for graft customization for alveolar ridge augmentation procedures, additional research is needed on predictability and long-term stability of the grafted sites.
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