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

Öz

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.

Anahtar Kelimeler

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

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

Öz

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.

Anahtar Kelimeler

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

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