European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

The development of 3D printing in dentistry has positive impact on the student education and management of dental procedures. Complex surgical and non-surgical endodontic cases are easily planned and treated with the use of 3D-printed guides. 3D printed models help to overcome the challenges faced in endodontics which includes locating root canals, locating osteotomy perforation sites, undesirable root perforation, auto-transplantation, pre-surgical treatment planning, educational modeling in preclinical practices. This review explores the need for 3D printing and the applications of 3D printed objects in teaching and managing endodontic procedures

INTRODUCTION: The constant development of new technologies in the field of medicine and health care has paved the way for the exploration of three-dimensional (3D) and four-dimensional (4D) imaging technologies in dentistry. Faster manufacturing rate and patient friendly approach of this technology has potential to revolutionize the field of pediatric dentistry.
AIM: To assess the knowledge and limiting factors of applicability of 3D printing amongst practicing pediatric dentists of India.
METHOD: A cross sectional survey was conducted among 600 randomly selected practicing pediatric dentists in India. A self-structured closed ended validated questionnaire containing 15 questions was forwarded to the participants. The questionnaire gathered data regarding demographics, knowledge, application and challenges faced by pediatric dentists for the use of 3D printing. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 21.0. Chi square test at 95% confidence interval and level of significance at P<0.05 was used to assess significance of obtained responses.

Additive Manufacturing has brought a paradigm shift in manufacturing trends
in terms of material flexibility, accuracy, lead time and product cost. There are myriad of
additive manufacturing technologies which are commercially available but Fused
Deposition Modeling (FDM) has outclassed others due to its unique capabilities. The paper
aims to present the critical analysis of materials, applications and recent advancements in
the area of FDM. The inception of additive manufacturing processes along with their
aggressive development in field of new product development and customized parts is also
highlighted. A detailed literature survey has been carried out to chalk out various materials
and advantages of FDM. An analysis using VOSviewer software has been carried to
highlight the major areas where an intensive research has been performed. It has been
noticed that limited research has been performed on development of functionally graded
material. Moreover, the effect of temperature on different additive manufacturing
processes must explored in future.

3D printing otherwise known as additive manufacturing, rapid prototyping or layered manufacturing is a relatively new, quickly growing and rapidly expanding method of manufacturing that has got numerous applications in healthcare and also in many other fields. Recently, it has become a subject of great interest in planning surgeries. Additive manufacturing method involves the production of a 3D model by laying down or adding successive layers of material. 3D printers are equipment that produces 3D models using CAD technology or 3D scanners. It has received more importance with the advancement in 3D imaging and modelling technologies such as CBCT, intraoral scanning and CAD/CAM in dentistry. Different techniques are employed in 3D printing namely stereolithography, photopolymer jetting, power binder printers, direct light processing, selective laser sintering, fused deposition modelling, electron beam melting, etc. Dental laboratories are able to produce 3D printed restorations, crowns, bridges, orthodontic appliances, surgical guides and implants quickly with higher precision and accuracy. This is done by methods that combine oral scanning, CAD/CAM designing and 3D printing. The rate of success of 3D printing has improved the quality and accuracy of dental treatment. With the application of 3D printing, it has become possible to replicate the desired complex geometry which was not feasible with conventional techniques. Thus 3D printing has led to a transformation in digital dentistry with its extensive learning and penetrating opportunities and a wide range of applications. The aim of this article was to review the techniques and current applications of 3D printing in dentistry.