Three-dimensional (3D) printing in dental practice: Applications, areas of interest, and level of evidence

ObjectivesThe aim of this review to overview three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies available for different dental disciplines, considering the applicability of such technologies and materials development.Materials and methodsSource Arksey and O'Malley's five stages framework using PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus (Elsevier) databases managed this review. Papers focusing on 3D printing in dentistry and written in English were screened. Scientific productivity by the number of publications, areas of interest, and the focus of the investigations in each dental discipline were extracted.ResultsNine hundred thirty-four studies using 3D printing in dentistry were assessed. Limited clinical trials were observed, especially in Restorative, endodontics, and pediatric dentistry. Laboratory or animal studies are not reliable for clinical success, suggesting that clinical trials are a good approach to validate the new methods' outcomes and ensure that the benefits outweigh the risk. The most common application for 3D printing technologies is to facilitate conventional dental procedures.ConclusionsThe constantly improving quality of 3D printing applications has contributed to increasing the popularity of these technologies in dentistry; however, long-term clinical studies are necessary to assist in defining standards and endorsing the safe application of 3D printing in dental practice.