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Additive manufacturing of dental polymers: An overview on processes, materials and applications

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Paper Summary

Paperzilla title
3D-Printed Teeth: From Dentures to Drill Guides, Polymers Take the Stage!

This review explores the use of four main additive manufacturing processes (SLA, MJ, DLP, FDM) to process polymers for creating various dental applications like dentures, surgical guides, and orthodontic appliances. While the potential is high, the field is still developing, particularly regarding the need for more biocompatible, durable, and easily processed polymers suitable for long-term intraoral use.

Explain Like I'm Five

Scientists are using special 3D printers to make parts for your teeth, like fake teeth or braces, out of plastic. It's a cool idea, but they're still working on making the plastic strong and safe enough to stay in your mouth for a long time.

Possible Conflicts of Interest

None identified

Identified Limitations

Lack of Quantitative Analysis
The review lacks a quantitative assessment of the discussed technologies and materials. While it provides a broad overview, it does not offer any concrete comparisons based on specific metrics like accuracy, speed, or cost-effectiveness, which limits its practical value for decision-making in dental applications.
Superficial Discussion of Biocompatibility
The discussion of biocompatibility is rather superficial, without a deeper analysis of specific materials, their long-term effects in the oral environment, or potential risks. This is a significant weakness given the importance of biocompatibility for dental applications.
Limited Clinical Relevance
The review focuses heavily on the additive manufacturing process itself, with less attention paid to the clinical relevance and practical implementation challenges. It lacks in-depth discussions of case studies, clinical trials, or real-world examples, which would strengthen its value for dental practitioners.
Over-reliance on Manufacturer Specifications
The paper heavily relies on manufacturer specifications, which can be biased and not always reflect real-world performance. Independent studies and comparative analyses are missing, hindering the objectivity of the review.

Rating Explanation

This review paper provides a decent overview of AM processes and dental polymers but suffers from several limitations. The lack of quantitative data, superficial discussion of biocompatibility, limited clinical relevance, and heavy reliance on manufacturer data prevent a higher rating. However, it offers a useful starting point for those new to the field of additive manufacturing in dentistry.

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Topic Hierarchy

Domain: Health Sciences
Field: Dentistry
Subfield: Orthodontics

File Information

Original Title: Additive manufacturing of dental polymers: An overview on processes, materials and applications
Uploaded: July 14, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Privacy: Public