Current 3D Printing and Developed 4D Printing Technologies in Dentistry

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has become an integral component of digital dentistry by enabling the rapid and precise fabrication of patient-specific dental devices through computer-aided design and manufacturing processes. Currently, 3D printing technologies are widely used to produce dental models, surgical guides, orthodontic appliances, splints, and provisional restorations, thereby improving efficiency and accuracy in clinical and laboratory procedures. Despite these advantages, conventional 3D printed structures remain static and may have limitations in adapting to the dynamic oral environment. In this context, four-dimensional (4D) printing has emerged as an advanced approach that incorporates time-dependent transformations using smart materials that respond to external stimuli such as temperature, pH, light, or moisture. This technology has the potential to enable adaptive dental devices, including self-adjusting orthodontic appliances, responsive prosthetic structures, and bioactive scaffolds for tissue engineering. Although 4D printing is still in its early stages of development, it offers promising opportunities for personalized, dynamic treatment strategies in dentistry. Further research focusing on material development, biocompatibility, and long-term clinical performance is required to facilitate its translation into routine dental practice.

Keywords

• 3D printing
• 4D printing
• digital dentistry
• additive manufacturing
• smart materials

Diş Hekimliğinde Güncel 3B Baskı ve Gelişmekte Olan 4B Baskı Uygulamaları

Abstract

Üç boyutlu (3D) baskı teknolojisi, bilgisayar destekli tasarım ve üretim süreçleri ile bütünleşerek dijital diş hekimliğinin önemli bir bileşeni haline gelmiştir. Günümüzde 3D baskı teknolojileri, dental modellerin, cerrahi implant rehberlerinin, ortodontik apareylerin, splintlerin ve geçici restorasyonların hızlı ve yüksek doğrulukla üretilmesine olanak sağlayarak klinik ve laboratuvar süreçlerinin verimliliğini artırmaktadır. Bununla birlikte, geleneksel 3D baskı ile üretilen yapılar statik özellik göstermekte ve ağız ortamının dinamik koşullarına uyum sağlama konusunda sınırlılıklar taşıyabilmektedir. Bu bağlamda, zaman faktörünü üretim sürecine dahil eden ve sıcaklık, pH, ışık veya nem gibi dış uyaranlara yanıt verebilen akıllı materyallerin kullanımına dayanan dört boyutlu (4D) baskı teknolojisi yeni bir yaklaşım olarak ortaya çıkmıştır. 4D baskı teknolojisinin kendiliğinden uyum sağlayabilen ortodontik apareyler, adaptif protez yapıları ve doku mühendisliği uygulamaları gibi alanlarda önemli potansiyel sunduğu düşünülmektedir. Bununla birlikte, bu teknolojinin rutin klinik uygulamalara aktarılabilmesi için materyal geliştirme, biyouyumluluk ve uzun dönem klinik performansa yönelik daha fazla araştırmaya ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır.

Keywords

• 3B baskı
• 4B baskı
• dijital diş hekimliği
• eklemeli üretim
• akıllı materyaller

References

1. Afzali Naniz, M., Askari, M., Zolfagharian, A., Afzali Naniz, M., & Bodaghi, M. (2022). 4D printing: A cutting-edge platform for biomedical applications. Biomedical Materials, 17(6).
2. Alharbi, N., Osman, R., & Wismeijer, D. (2016). Effects of build direction on the mechanical properties of 3D-printed complete coverage interim dental restorations. The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, 115(6), 760–767.
3. Alqutaibi, A. Y., Alghauli, M. A., Aljohani, M. H. A., & Zafar, M. S. (2024). Advanced additive manufacturing in implant dentistry. Bioprinting, 42, e00356.
4. Antezana, P. E., Municoy, S., Ostapchuk, G., Catalano, P. N., Hardy, J. G., Evelson, P. A., Orive, G., & Desimone, M. (2023). 4D printing: Responsive materials. Pharmaceutics, 15(12), 2743.
5. Atta, I., English, J. D., Powers, J. M., & Bussa, H. I. (2024). Physiochemical and mechanical characterisation of thermoformed and direct-printed aligner materials. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 150, 106334.
6. Bajpai, A., Baigent, A., Raghav, S., Ó Brádaigh, C., Koutsos, V., & Radacsi, N. (2021). 4D printing: Materials and applications. Sustainability, 13(2), 739.
7. Behl, M., & Lendlein, A. (2007). Shape-memory polymers. Materials Today, 10(4), 20–28.
8. Bonetti, L., & Scalet, G. (2025). 4D fabrication for tissue engineering. Progress in Additive Manufacturing.

9. Caussin, E., Moussally, C., Le Goff, S., Fasham, T., Troizier-Cheyne, M., Tapie, L., Dursun, E., Attal, J. P., & François, P. (2024). Vat photopolymerization 3D printing in dentistry: A comprehensive review of actual popular technologies. Materials, 17(4), 950.
10. Chen, W., Zhang, C., Peng, S., Lin, Y., & Ye, Z. (2024). Hydrogels in dental medicine. Advanced Therapeutics, 7(1), 2300128.
11. Chen, Y., & Wei, J. (2025). 3D printing in dentistry. Polymers, 17(7), 886.
12. Choi, J., Kwon, O. C., Jo, W., Lee, H. J., & Moon, M. W. (2015). 4D printing review. 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing, 2(4), 159–167.
13. Conte, R., Di Salle, A., Riccitiello, F., Petillo, O., Peluso, G., & Calarco, A. (2018). Biodegradable polymers in dental tissue engineering and regeneration. AIMS Materials Science, 5(6), 1073–1101.
14. Delaey, J., Vandenbroucke, B., & Van Humbeeck, J. (2020). 4D printing of shape memory polymers for biomedical applications. Acta Biomaterialia, 104, 1–17.
15. Gladman, A. S., Matsumoto, E. A., Nuzzo, R. G., Mahadevan, L., & Lewis, J. A. (2016). Biomimetic 4D printing. Nature Materials, 15, 413–418.
16. Gojzewski, H., Guo, Z., Grzelachowska, W., Ridwan, M. G., Hempenius, M. A., Grijpma, D. W., & Vancso, G. J. (2020). Layer-by-layer printing of photopolymers in 3D: How weak is the interface? ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 12(7), 8908–8914.
17. Hassan, S., Prakash, V., & Sharma, R. (2025). Comparative analysis of wear resistance in 4D-printed vs 3D-printed dental prosthetics. Journal of Functional Biomaterials, 16(7), 412.
18. Ian Gibson, Rosen, D. W., Stucker, B., & Khorasani, M. (2021). Additive manufacturing technologies (3rd ed.). Springer.
19. ISO/ASTM. (2015). ISO/ASTM 52900: Additive manufacturing terminology.
20. Javaid, M., & Haleem, A. (2019). Additive manufacturing in dentistry. Journal of Oral Biology and Craniofacial Research, 9(3), 179–185.
21. Jeong, M., Radomski, K., Lopez, D., Liu, J.T., Lee, J.D., & Lee, S.J. (2023). Materials and applications of 3D printing technology in dentistry: An overview. Dentistry Journal, 12(1), 1.
22. Joda, T., Ferrari, M., Gallucci, G.O., Wittneben, J.G., & Brägger, U. (2017). Digital technology in fixed implant prosthodontics. Periodontology 2000, 73, 178–192.
23. Koch, L., Deiwick, A., & Chichkov, B. (2016). Laser-based cell printing. In 3D printing and biofabrication (pp. 1–27). Springer.
24. Mangano, F., Gandolfi, A., Luongo, G., & Logozzo, S. (2017). Intraoral scanners in dentistry. BMC Oral Health, 17(1), 149.
25. Revilla-León, M., & Özcan, M. (2019). Additive manufacturing in prosthetic dentistry. Journal of Prosthodontics, 28(2), 146–158.
26. Sharif, M., Elkholy, F., Schmidt, F., Lapatki, B. G., & Drescher, D. (2024). Force system of 3D-printed orthodontic aligners made of shape memory polymers: An in vitro study. Bioengineering, 11(6), 560.
27. Spitznagel, F. A., Boldt, J., & Gierthmuehlen, P. C. (2018). CAD/CAM ceramic materials. Journal of Dental Research, 97(10), 1082–1091.
28. Stansbury, J. W., & Idacavage, M. J. (2016). 3D printing with polymers. Dental Materials, 32(1), 54–64.
29. Subedi, S., Liu, S., Wang, W., Shovon, S. M.A.N., Chen, X., & Ware, H.O.T. (2024). Multi-material vat photopolymerization 3D printing: A review of mechanisms and applications. npj Advanced Manufacturing, 1, 9.
30. Yan, S., Zhang, F., Luo, L., Wang, L., Liu, Y., & Leng, J. (2023). Shape memory polymer composites. Research, 0234.
31. Yüceer, Ö. M., Kaynak Öztürk, E., Çiçek, E. S., Aktaş, N., & Bankoğlu Güngör, M. (2025). Three-dimensional-printed photopolymer resin materials: A narrative review on their production techniques and applications in dentistry. Polymers, 17(3), 316.