Clinical Applications of 3D-Printed Polymers in Dentistry: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Dental Technology
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• 3D printing (three-dimensional printing) offers novel fabrication methods for dental applications.
• Polymeric materials are increasingly utilized in additive manufacturing for dentistry.
• Assessing the clinical evidence base for 3D-printed dental applications is crucial for adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To categorize 3D printing applications of polymeric materials in dentistry.
• To identify applications with sufficient clinical evidence for adoption.
• To highlight applications requiring further development or evidence.

Main Methods:

• Conducted a comprehensive electronic literature search across PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library (2003-2023).
• Included case reports, in vitro, in situ, ex vivo, and clinical trials on 3D-printed polymers in dentistry.
• Excluded review articles and studies not focused on clinical application or performance.

Main Results:

• Screened over 3,070 titles, with 219 studies included in the qualitative synthesis.
• Identified several applications with emerging clinical evidence.
• Extensive screening identified a significant volume of literature, but a smaller subset met inclusion criteria.

Conclusions:

• A significant lack of robust clinical evidence exists for many 3D printing technologies in dentistry.
• Current evidence suggests non-inferiority for 3D-printed polymers in diagnostic models, temporary prostheses, custom trays, and surgical guides.
• Further clinical validation is necessary for broader implementation of 3D printing in dental practice.