International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)

Volume 8 Issue 3, May-June 2024 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470

3D Printing in Dentistry
Matthew N. O. Sadiku1, Paul A. Adekunte2, Janet O. Sadiku3
1
Roy G. Perry College of Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX, USA
2
International Institute of Professional Security, Lagos, Nigeria
3
Juliana King University, Houston, TX, USA

ABSTRACT How to cite this paper: Matthew N. O.

3D printing is a technology to produce a certain structure in a short Sadiku | Paul A. Adekunte | Janet O.
period of time using additive manufacturing of data obtained through Sadiku "3D Printing in Dentistry"
CAD (Computer Aided Design). It involves layering a filament Published in
International Journal
material onto labeled points of support in order to build up complex
of Trend in
forms. It is a seamless manufacturing solution to get customized Scientific Research
items for all areas. One growth area for 3D printing technology is and Development
digital dentistry, where dentists use 3D printers to produce models, (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-
dentures, braces, and implants. 3D printing has been an ally among 6470, Volume-8 | IJTSRD67066
dental practices worldwide. This process allows for custom-fitted Issue-3, June 2024,
dental implants with minimal waste and maximum patient comfort. pp.1063-1069, URL:
This paper examines the use of 3D printing technology in dentistry. www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd67066.pdf

KEYWORDS: 3D printing (3DP), additive manufacturing (AM), 3D Copyright © 2024 by author (s) and
printing in dentistry, dental implants International Journal of Trend in
Scientific Research and Development
Journal. This is an
Open Access article
distributed under the
terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License (CC BY 4.0)
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)

INTRODUCTION
Traditionally, a printer is used at home or in the office files, they are stored electronically and models can be
to print out text and images on paper. This 3D printed on demand if necessary [1]. There is a
conventional printer prints in a flat two-dimensional growing use of 3D printing in the dental industry. It
(2D) space using the dimensions length and width. A can be used to prepare tools, prostheses, dental
three-dimensional (3D) printer uses length and width implants, etc.
but also adds depth to the print. A 3D printer has
WHAT IS 3D PRINTING?
more manufacturing capacity than a traditional 3D printing (also known as additive manufacturing
manufacturing machine. It is regarded as a disruptive (AM) or rapid prototyping (RP)) was invented in the
technology that will change manufacturing. It has early 1980s by Charles Hull, who is regarded as the
been used for decades in the automotive and
father of 3D printing. Since then it has been used in
aerospace industries. The 3D printer is also used by
manufacturing, automotive, electronics, aviation,
hobbyists, small businesses, creatives, manufacturers, aerospace, aeronautics, engineering, architecture,
architects, and most importantly contractors to pharmaceutics, consumer products, education,
instantly create a variety of products. entertainment, medicine, space missions, the military,
3D printing applications in the dental industry are chemical industry, maritime industry, printing
rapidly advancing. It has emerged as an innovative industry, and jewelry industry [2]
method for dental implant manufacturing. One of the
A 3D printer works by “printing” objects. Instead of
earliest adopters of digital dentistry was 3D printing
using ink, it uses more substantive materials–plastics,
giant Stratasys, with headquarters in Israel. In 2012, it metal, rubber, and the like. It scans an object–or takes
merged with Israel’s Objet 3D, another major
an existing scan of an object–and slices it into layers,
manufacturer of 3D printers. The Israeli lab has been
which can then convert into a physical object. Layer
producing new products to enable dentists to take
by layer, the 3D printer can replicate images created
advantage of 3D printing techniques. With digital

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD67066 | Volume – 8 | Issue – 3 | May-June 2024 Page 1063
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
in CAD programs. In other words, 3D printing consuming and require great amounts of labor.
instructs a computer to apply layer upon layer of a However, production methods have started to be
specific material (such as plastic or metal) until the overtaken digital dentistry, which is about half a
final product is built. This is distinct from century old, around 1971. Digital technologies such
conventional manufacturing methods, which often as 3D printing has allowed for high levels of
rely on removal (by cutting, drilling, chopping, customization that make practices more efficient and
grinding, forging, etc.) instead of addition. Models improve patient treatment outcomes. 3D printing in
can be multi-colored to highlight important features, dentistry is helping doctors diagnose better and faster,
such as tumors, cavities, and vascular tracks. 3DP and making patients heal earlier too. More dental care
technology can build a 3D object in almost any shape professionals than ever are having a 3D printer in
imaginable as defined in a computer-aided design house. Patients get their 3D printed teeth at a very
(CAD) file. It is additive technology as distinct from low cost and quickly too [6]. Figure 3 displays a 3D
traditional manufacturing techniques, which are printing dentist lab [7].
subtractive processes in which material is removed by Depending on the application, different printers are
cutting or drilling [3]. used in dentistry. Probably the most common 3D
3D printing has started breaking through into the printing technologies in dentistry are
mainstream in recent years, with some models stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing
becoming affordable enough for home use. Many (DLP). (Charles Hull in the US officially developed a
industries and professions around the world now use SLA system in 1984.) Both use similar technologies
3D printing. It plays a key role in making companies but differ mainly in the type of light source. Using
more competitive. The gap between industry and these printing techniques, we can create highly
graduating students can be bridged by including the accurate 3D models that help us plan and visualize
same cutting-edge tools, such as 3D printing, your custom denture design. With 3D printing
professionals use every day into the curriculum. technologies such as Selective Laser Sintering (SLS),
There are 3D printed homes, prosthetics, surgical Stereolithography (SLA), and Digital Light
devices, educator, and church minister in Nigeria, Processing (DLP), 3D printed crowns and alike can
United Kingdom, Canada, and United States. be produced in various volumes in-house.
She is a co-author of some papers and books. Not all materials used in 3D printing are equal in
strength and durability, so it is important to select one
that will stand up to use inside the body. 3D printing
of dental implants utilizes various advanced dental-
grade materials such as stainless steel, titanium,
titanium alloys, and cobalt chromium. Of these
materials, titanium is often the most favorable due to
affordability and biocompatibility. The materials have
been used to replace metal components when
combined with other materials in order to reduce the
weight of the final prosthesis. Biomaterials used in
dental implants include metals such as titanium and
its alloys, ceramics, and polymers. The choice of
biomaterials used in dental implants depends on the
patient’s particular [8].
Figure 1 3D printing involves three steps [4].
DENTAL APPLICATIONS
drones, hearing aids, and electric engine components. Three-dimensional (3D) printing has a variety of uses
As shown in Figure 1, 3D printing involves three and is becoming an integral part of dentistry, oral
steps [4]. A typical 3D printer is shown in Figure 2 surgery, and dental lab workflows. Its use in dentistry
[5]. is the natural progression from computer-aided design
3D PRINTING IN DENTISTRY (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
Due to increased life expectancy and greater concern technology which has been used for years by dental
on oral health problems and aesthetics, there has been labs to create crowns, veneers, bridges, and implants.
a growing demand for dental structures and devices to There are a number of applications for 3D printed
replace/restore missing/damaged teeth in recent years. dentistry. Common applications include the following
Traditional production methods are mainly based on [9]:
handcrafted fabrication techniques that are time-

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD67066 | Volume – 8 | Issue – 3 | May-June 2024 Page 1064
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
1. 3D Dental Implants: Dental implants are a crowns, which can become loose over time.
universally employed common treatment Figure 6 portrays golden 3D-printed crowns [12].
approach for the loss of teeth. Implants are
4. 3D Aligners: As an alternative to traditional
usually the most feared dental procedure. braces, clear aligners can be created with the help
Traditional implants are made from metal and of 3D printed dentition models and
other materials that can be difficult to replace or
thermoforming. Clear aligners are transparent,
adjust. 3D Dental implants are made from various nearly invisible devices used to adjust your teeth
materials, including plastic, and can be printed in
at a spacing that is suggested by your dentist and
any desired shape or size. They are dental
agreed upon by you. Using a specialized scanner,
prosthesis including crowns, bridges, and
your doctor will take a swift but accurate 3D
dentures. The most common type of 3D printed
digital scan of your teeth. The aligners are printed
dental implants are abutments, which is used to
once the dentist decides what is the best
attach a prosthetic crown or bridge to the jawbone treatment. This 3D printing in dentistry can be
and used to replace missing teeth. Dental implants
completed in under an hour.
are made of titanium or other bio-compatible
materials, which have been proven to be safe and 5. 3D Printed Teeth: A dentist may be keen to use
effective for use in dental applications. They are 3D printed teeth for their patients. A question
created using additive manufacturing techniques most non-professionals miss is whether these
that enable the creation of complex designs with artificial teeth will look natural. All these printed
greater precision and accuracy than is possible teeth, whether a single-unit or multi-unit
with traditional manufacturing methods. Because replacement, exhibit all the aesthetic, medical,
they are surgically placed into the jawbone, dental and engineering features you want. Figure 7 show
implants decide both the medical and cosmetic typical 3D printed teeth [13].
outcomes of dental procedures. In earlier days, 6. Dental Surgery: 3D printers play an important
the conventional machines and mechanisms used role in dental implant surgery. 3D printed models
could not accurately factor in the unique teeth can actually be created to replace missing teeth.
size, locations and condition of patients. Today, 3D printing allows obtaining replacement teeth
dental implants have improved dramatically, faster and more accurately than traditional
thanks a lot to the accurate results of scans. After methods. Dental implant surgery requires
a digital scan 3D, a dentist will be able to extensive measuring and planning to ensure an
virtually begin printing the required implant accurate and successful outcome. You can use
immediately. Figure 4 displays customized dental your 3D printer to create precise anatomical
implants using 3D printing [10]. models that can be used as intelligent surgical
2. 3D Dentures: 3D printed dentures, whether guides in conjunction with digital models and
complete dentures, gums and teeth, must be scans.
printed with biocompatible materials. Although 7. Orthodontic 3D Printing: 3D printing has various
custom-made dentures were available, but they useful applications in orthodontics, such as the
had their own limitations. Today, 3D printing creation of orthodontic models, retainers, bonding
equipment has become reliable and made dentures trays, and splints. The use of a 3D printer helps
more affordable. In-house 3D printing dental optimize production workflow and create precise
facilities for hospitals or clinics makes it cost- and individualized finished products.
effective. As a result, more and more patients are
both willing and able to access dental treatment. BENEFITS
Figure 5 shows a 3D printed dentures [11]. 3D printing technology has gained popularity due to
its ability to produce highly customized devices with
3. 3D Printed Crowns: Dental crowns are intricate details that would otherwise be difficult or
essentially the hat your teeth wears on the top. impossible to achieve in traditional manufacturing
They cover and protect your teeth. Because they processes. A major advantage that 3D printing offers
do not need any special care after fitment, they is that it is accurate to within a tenth of a millimeter.
are an important component of dental fittings. 3D printed implants offer a great deal of potential,
You can actually 3D print a crown in-house. presenting opportunities for customization, reduced
Doctors in Japan have been printing dental time to market, and increased cost efficiency. They
crowns with lasers for years. As a result, custom- are more durable, customizable, and easier to replace.
made crowns for each individual’s teeth can be The printed models can be used to design patient
replaced much more easily than traditional specific pre-surgical guides, drill templates, and

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD67066 | Volume – 8 | Issue – 3 | May-June 2024 Page 1065
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
dental appliances such as crowns and bridges which customize your patient’s finished product. By
are then produced on the same device. Other benefits utilizing digital treatment planning data, we can
of 3D-printed dental implants include the following produce patient-specific surgical guides and
[11,14]: temporary restorations that precisely fit the
1. More Durable: They are much more durable than individual's anatomy, ensuring accurate and
traditional implants. This is due to the fact that predictable implant placement.
they are made from a solid material, so there is no 9. High Speed: 3D printing dentistry gets faster and
chance of them breaking or becoming loose over faster. Depending on the size, 3D printers can
time. produce high-detail parts without sacrificing
2. More Affordable: They are more affordable than quality in a few hours or a day. The ability to
traditional ones, making them an attractive option reproduce a tooth while you wait in the dental
for dentists who want to offer their patients chair.
quality dentistry at an affordable price. With 10. Improved Efficiency: With the combined use of
affordable prices and more compact sizes of 3D an intraoral scanner and 3D printer, the entirety of
printers, they are an accessible option for many the planning and creation of dental prosthetics can
dental practices. Advancements in additive be done quickly and efficiently in your practice
manufacturing technology have not only and you can rely on incredible accuracy in your
improved printer size, capabilities, and finished products.
affordability but also a range of printable
11. Cost Effectiveness: While the initial cost of
materials.
purchasing a 3D printer may be a bit high, you
3. Less Likely to Fail: They are also less likely to will find that operations are much more cost-
fail than traditional implants. This is because they effective in the long run.
are made from a solid material, which means they
CHALLENGES
cannot become damaged or corrupted over time.
Just like any other promising technology, dental 3D
4. Cheaper to Replicate: They are also cheaper to printing too has its own set of challenges. These
replicate than traditional implant materials. They challenges need to be faced when using 3D printing
can be produced in large quantities quickly and technologies. These include the following [9]:
easily using modern technology.
1. Side-Effects: One of the biggest questions was the
5. Less Painful: Traditional dental implants are side-effects of 3D printing resins in dental
metal and are often associated with more pain, devices. Research shows 3D printing can
discomfort, and a longer recovery time. 3D- negatively impact the reproductive health of
printed dental implants are made from plastic and patients.
can be fabricated using various methods,
2. High Cost: 3D printing machine for most dental
including 3D printing.
practices and laboratories is expensive. Initial
6. Less Risky: The 3D-printed implants are less purchase cost for equipment and supplies may be
invasive than traditional implants, requiring only high. However, today, 3D printers are far more
local anesthetic rather than general anesthesia. It compact and affordable than they were twenty
makes them more comfortable for patients and years ago, making them more viable for private
reduces the risk of complications. practices and labs.
7. Shorter Recovery Time: They also have a shorter 3. Expertise: The average dental practitioner needs a
recovery time, meaning that patients can return to solid amount of experience to operate the 3D
work sooner after surgery than traditional printing machinery involved. Training staff
implants. In-house 3D printing has been shown to members to fully understand how to use and
reduce a patient’s overall treatment time. 3D- maintain the equipment is necessary. In spite of
printed dental implants are safe, efficient, and the automation involved in the actual printing
precise type of implantations in the patient, process, there is a learning curve for the average
serving to replace missing teeth. dental practitioner in understanding how to
8. Customization: In-house 3D printer allows for the operate a 3D printer effectively.
customization and precision required for dental CONCLUSION
implant applications. Since you have the ability to The medical applications of 3D printing technology
view and edit CAD files before printing, you are widening daily due the fact that an increasing
consequently have the ability to completely number of people are becoming concerned about their

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD67066 | Volume – 8 | Issue – 3 | May-June 2024 Page 1066
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
dental health. The technology has revolutionized ehouse2/the-benefits-of-3d-printing-in-
dentistry in recent years, providing novel childrens-education
opportunities to tailor both orthodontic and surgical
[6] C. G. Figueiredo-Pina and A. P. Serro, “3D
treatments more accurately and efficiently than ever printing for dental applications,”
before.
[7] “Open wide: How 3D printing is reshaping
Dental 3D printing is crucial to modern dentistry.
dentistry,” https://www.medicaldevice-
Dentists, orthodontists, and oral surgeons are using network.com/features/3d-printing-in-dentistry/
3D printing technology in patient care as well as in
research and testing. The future of dentistry is here [8] “3D printed dental implants – Applications,
with 3D-printed implants. This groundbreaking materials, biocompatibility and benefits of 3D
technology allows for faster, more precise implant printing dental implants and dental prosthesis,”
placement, resulting in a more comfortable and October 2023,
efficient patient process. Studies predict that in the https://2onelab.com/en/learn/blog/3d-printed-
future, dentists would be able to print you a newly 3D dental-implants-applications-materials-
printed artificial tooth in 6.5 minutes. biocompatibility-and-benefits-of-3d-printing-
dental-implants-and-dental-prosthesis/
REFERENCES
[1] D. Shamah, “New niche for 3D printers in [9] “How technology is changing dentistry,”
dentistry,” March 2014, https://almostism.com/dental-3d-printing-
https://www.timesofisrael.com/new-niche-for- changing-dentistry/
3d-printers-in-dentistry/ [10] “Customized dental implants using 3D
[2] F. R. Ishengoma and T. A. B. Mtaho, “3D printing,”
printing: Developing countries perspectives https://www.dentalogytx.com/customized-
computer engineering and applications,” dental-implants-using-3d-printing/
International Journal of Computer [11] “Say goodbye to traditional implants: The
Applications, vol. 104, no. 11, October 2014, future of dentistry with 3d printed implants,”
pp. 30-34. https://doverfamilydentistry.org/dentistry-with-
[3] M. N. O. Sadiku, S. M. Musa, and O. S. Musa, 3d-printed-implants/
”3D Printing in the chemical industry,” [12] “4 Steps for 3D printing dental crowns,”
Invention Journal of Research Technology in https://dental.proto3000.com/dental-posts/4-
Engineering and Management, vol. 2, no. 2, steps-for-3d-printing-dental-crowns/
February 2018, pp. 24-26.
[13] T. Vialva, “How 3D printing has revolutionized
[4] D. Pitukcharoen, “3D printing booklet for dental practices,” April 2023,
beginners,” https://www.metmuseum.org/- https://www.straumann.com/en/discover/youto
/media/files/blogs/digital-media/ oth/article/digital/2023/how-3d-printing-has-
3dprintingbookletforbeginners.pdf revolutionized-dental-practices.html
[5] “The benefits of 3D Printing in children’s [14] “Ultimate guide to 3D printing in dentistry,”
education,” February 2021, https://www.safcodental.com/blog/guide-to-3d-
https://www.kidsinthehouse.com/blogs/kidsinth printing-in-dentistry/

Figure 2 A typical 3D printer [5].

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD67066 | Volume – 8 | Issue – 3 | May-June 2024 Page 1067
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470

Figure 3 A 3D printing dentist lab [7].

Figure 4 Customized dental implants using 3D printing [10].

Figure 5 3D printed dentures [11].

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD67066 | Volume – 8 | Issue – 3 | May-June 2024 Page 1068
 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470

Figure 6 3D-printed dental crowns [12].

Figure 7 Typical 3D printed teeth [13].

@ IJTSRD | Unique Paper ID – IJTSRD67066 | Volume – 8 | Issue – 3 | May-June 2024 Page 1069