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Dentistry Journal
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3D Printing Technology in Dentistry
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3D Printing Technology in Dentistry

A special issue of Dentistry Journal (ISSN 2304-6767).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 4132

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Lavanya Ajay Sharma

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD 4215, Australia
Interests: development and characterization of biopolymers for regenerative dentistry; implant prosthodontics; digital prosthodontics; antibacterial biocomposites for dental restorations; animal studies for regenerative medicine; clinical trials for translational research
Prof. Dr. Menaka Abuzar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, QLD 4215, Australia
Interests: prosthodontics; oral health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Aims:

3D printing technology has revolutionized medicine by enabling patient-specific solutions, from prosthetics and surgical models to bioprinting of tissues and organs. This innovation has enhanced precision, reduced procedural times, and improved patient outcomes across various medical fields.

In dentistry, 3D printing has transformed the fabrication of restorations, surgical guides, orthodontic appliances, and implant components. Integrating digital workflows with advanced biomaterials offers unprecedented customization, efficiency, and accuracy in dental treatments.

The Special Issue on "3D Printing Technology in Dentistry" aims to explore the transformative impact of additive manufacturing in modern dental practice. This issue will focus on advancements, applications, and future directions of 3D printing across various dental disciplines, including prosthodontics, orthodontics, implantology, and oral surgery. By bringing together innovative research, clinical case studies, and technological innovations, this issue seeks to highlight the potential of 3D printing to enhance treatment efficiency, customization, and patient outcomes.

Scope:

Materials and Techniques: Advances in printable biomaterials, resin composites, metal alloys, and ceramic-based printing for dental applications.

Clinical Applications: Use of 3D printing in prosthodontics (crowns, bridges, dentures), orthodontics (aligners, retainers), implantology (surgical guides, customized implants), and maxillofacial reconstruction.

Digital Workflow Integration: The role of CAD/CAM and AI in enhancing precision and efficiency in dental 3D printing.

Bioprinting and Tissue Engineering: Innovations in regenerative dentistry using bioinks and scaffold fabrication.

Challenges and Future Perspectives: Limitations, cost-effectiveness, regulatory considerations, and the future evolution of 3D printing in dentistry.

This issue welcomes original research articles, review papers, clinical studies, and case reports that contribute to the understanding and application of 3D printing in dental sciences.

Dr. Lavanya Ajay Sharma
Prof. Dr. Menaka Abuzar
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Dentistry Journal is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • 3D printing
  • additive manufacturing
  • digital dentistry
  • CAD/CAM
  • dental biomaterials
  • prosthodontics
  • orthodontics
  • bioprinting
  • dental implants
  • regenerative dentistry
  • digital workflow

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  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
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  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3123 KB  
Article
Influence of Build Platform Position on the Trueness and Precision of LCD 3D-Printed Orthognathic Surgical Splints
by Siripatra Patchanee, Pokpong Amornvit, Aunchisa Sreatsiripakdee, Chantawat Tanapirom and Narissaporn Chaiprakit
Dent. J. 2026, 14(3), 145; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj14030145 - 5 Mar 2026
Viewed by 354
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Among vat polymerization technologies, liquid-crystal display (LCD) 3D printing has gained popularity in dentistry because of its affordability and acceptable resolution. However, the factors influencing the dimensional accuracy of LCD-printed surgical splints, particularly build platform position, remain insufficiently investigated. This study [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Among vat polymerization technologies, liquid-crystal display (LCD) 3D printing has gained popularity in dentistry because of its affordability and acceptable resolution. However, the factors influencing the dimensional accuracy of LCD-printed surgical splints, particularly build platform position, remain insufficiently investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of build platform position on the trueness and precision of orthognathic surgical splints fabricated using LCD 3D printing technology. Methods: Thirty-six surgical splints were printed from a master digital file using an LCD 3D printer. All surgical splints were printed with a 90-degree layer orientation to the building platform. The layer thickness was set at 100 μm. The surgical splints were divided into three groups according to their printing position on the building platform: middle (M), left (Lt), and right (Rt). Each 3D-printed surgical splint was sprayed with an opaque scanning spray and then rescanned to create digital files for testing. A surface-based superimposition and deviation analysis was performed using specialized 3D software to evaluate accuracy of surgical splints. Root mean square error (RMSE) values were statistically analyzed. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in trueness among the middle, left, and right printing positions on the build platform (p > 0.05). In contrast, printing position significantly affected precision, with surgical splints printed at the center of the build platform demonstrating significantly lower RMSE values compared with those printed at the left and right positions (p < 0.001). In addition, no significant difference in precision was detected between the left and right positions. Conclusions: The printing position on the build platform significantly influences the precision of orthognathic surgical splints fabricated using LCD 3D printing technology. Splints printed at the central region of the build platform exhibited the highest precision, whereas trueness was not significantly affected by printing position. These findings suggest that preferential placement of surgical splints at the center of the build platform may improve fabrication consistency and predictability in digital orthognathic surgery workflows. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printing Technology in Dentistry)
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22 pages, 3736 KB  
Article
In Vitro Evaluation of Surface and Mechanical Behavior of 3D-Printed PMMA After Accelerated and Chemical Aging Under Simulated Oral Conditions
by Vlad-Gabriel Vasilescu, Robert Cătălin Ciocoiu, Andreea Mihaela Custură, Lucian Toma Ciocan, Marian Miculescu, Vasile Iulian Antoniac, Ana-Maria Cristina Țâncu, Marina Imre and Silviu Mirel Pițuru
Dent. J. 2026, 14(1), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj14010040 - 7 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 633
Abstract
Studying surface energy and permeability offers insights into the relationship between temporary polymers and the oral environment. Variations in contact angle and surface free energy may signify modifications in surface polarity and tendency for plaque buildup, staining, or microcrack formation. Objectives: The [...] Read more.
Studying surface energy and permeability offers insights into the relationship between temporary polymers and the oral environment. Variations in contact angle and surface free energy may signify modifications in surface polarity and tendency for plaque buildup, staining, or microcrack formation. Objectives: The present study aims to evaluate the influence of simulated salivary and chemical aging conditions on the surface and mechanical properties of 3D-printed PMMA provisional materials. Methods: Two 3D-printed polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resins were investigated, namely Anycubic White (Anycubic, Shenzhen, China) and NextDent Creo (NextDent, 3D Systems, Soesterberg, The Netherlands), using two aging protocols. Protocol A consisted of chemical aging in an alcohol-based mouthwash, while Protocol B involved thermal aging in artificial saliva. After aging, surface properties (wettability and SFE) and compressive behaviour were analyzed. Statistical analysis was conducted to assess the influence of temperature, immersion duration, and aging medium, with significance established at p < 0.05. Results: In Protocol A, mechanical properties showed a time-dependent decrease, with material-specific stabilization trends. In Protocol B, thermal aging resulted in elastic modulus reductions ranging from 35% to 46% relative to the reference. The yield strength exhibited similar tendencies. In Protocol A, X samples exhibited a consistent decline, while C samples stabilized after 14 days. For Protocol B, the fitted model produced residuals under 2%, confirming temperature as the primary variable. Conclusions: Chemical and thermal aging influence the physical and mechanical properties of the analyzed 3D-printed PMMA. Among the two protocols, thermal aging in artificial saliva resulted in more pronounced material degradation. After chemical aging in mouthwash, the surface free energy remained almost constant. After thermal aging, all samples demonstrated a gradual rise in SFE with prolonged immersion duration. The current study offers valuable insights into the environmental stability of printed PMMA; however, it is an in vitro evaluation. The findings indicate that temperature exposure and prolonged contact with oral hygiene products may affect the mechanical reliability of 3D-printed provisional restorations, which must be considered during material selection for longer temporary usage. Additionally, spectroscopic and microscopic analyses might better clarify the molecular-level chemical alterations linked to aging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printing Technology in Dentistry)
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Review

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22 pages, 356 KB  
Review
Transforming Dental Care, Practice and Education with Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing: Innovations in Materials, Technologies, and Future Pathways
by Shilthia Monalisa, Mahdieh Alipuor, Debangshu Paul, Md Ataur Rahman, Nazeeba Siddika, Ehsanul Hoque Apu and Rubayet Bin Mostafiz
Dent. J. 2025, 13(12), 555; https://doi.org/10.3390/dj13120555 - 25 Nov 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2573
Abstract
Additive manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing, is revolutionizing modern dentistry, introducing high-precision, patient-specific, and digital-driven workflows across prosthodontics, orthodontics, implantology, and maxillofacial surgery. Extensive analysis explores the leading platforms in 3D printing such as stereolithography (SLA), fused deposition modeling (FDM), selective [...] Read more.
Additive manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing, is revolutionizing modern dentistry, introducing high-precision, patient-specific, and digital-driven workflows across prosthodontics, orthodontics, implantology, and maxillofacial surgery. Extensive analysis explores the leading platforms in 3D printing such as stereolithography (SLA), fused deposition modeling (FDM), selective laser sintering (SLS), digital light processing (DLP), and PolyJet which all achieve superior performance across multiple areas including resolution capabilities, material compatibility options, clinical application readiness, and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, an extensive overview of common materials, including biocompatible polymers (PLA, PMMA, PEEK), metals (titanium, cobalt-chromium), and ceramics (zirconia, alumina, glass-ceramics), sheds light on the critical role of material selection for patient safety, durability, and functional performance. The review explores new advancements such as 4D printing with shape-adaptive smart biomaterials as well as artificial intelligence-enabled digital processes and prosthesis design for the transformation of regenerative dentistry and intraoral drug delivery operations into new domains and the automation of clinical planning. Equally groundbreaking are 3D printing applications in pediatric dentistry, surgical simulation, and dental education. However, full-scale adoption of AM technology is not without challenges, including material toxicity, regulatory hurdles for approval, high initial investments, and the need for extensive digital expertise training. Sustainability concerns are also being addressed, with recycled materials and circular economy models gaining traction. In conclusion, this article advocates for a future where dentistry is shaped by interdisciplinary collaboration, intelligent automation, and hyper-personalized biocompatible solutions, with 3D printing firmly established as the backbone of next-generation dental care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Printing Technology in Dentistry)
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