Three-Dimensional Printing in Dentistry: Evolution, Technologies, and Clinical Application

Three-dimensional (3D) printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), has become increasingly integrated into dentistry because of its high precision, efficiency, and ability to fabricate patient-specific devices. This review comprehensively discusses the historical development of 3D printing and outlines the fundamental principles of the most widely used technologies in dentistry, including stereolithography (SLA), digital light processing (DLP), and liquid crystal display (LCD). These technologies enable the accurate and efficient fabrication of dental models, crowns, bridges, dentures, surgical guides, orthodontic appliances, and tissue engineering scaffolds. Current clinical applications are systematically summarized across major dental disciplines, including prosthodontics, orthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, periodontics, and pediatric dentistry. Despite existing challenges, such as limited long-term clinical data for certain materials, high initial equipment costs, and post-processing requirements, 3D printing offers substantial advantages in terms of customization, workflow efficiency, and clinical predictability of the final product. Future developments in advanced biomaterials, artificial intelligence-assisted workflows, bioprinting, and four-dimensional (4D) printing are expected to further expand the role of additive manufacturing in personalized and regenerative dentistry.