3D-Printed Teeth in Endodontics: Why, How, Problems and Future—A Narrative Review

Tiago Reis, Cláudia Barbosa, Margarida Franco, Catarina Baptista, Nuno Alves, Pablo Castelo-Baz, José Martin-Cruces and Benjamín Martin-Biedma
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Tiago Reis: Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15701 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Cláudia Barbosa: FP-I3ID, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Fernando Pessoa, 4249-004 Porto, Portugal
Margarida Franco: CDRSP, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal
Catarina Baptista: CDRSP, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal
Nuno Alves: CDRSP, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal
Pablo Castelo-Baz: Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15701 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
José Martin-Cruces: Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15701 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Benjamín Martin-Biedma: Department of Surgery and Medical-Surgical Specialties, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15701 Santiago de Compostela, Spain

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-13

Abstract: Three-dimensional printing offers possibilities for the development of new models in endodontics. Numerous studies have used 3D-printed teeth; however, protocols for the standardization of studies still need to be developed. Another problem with 3D-printed teeth is the different areas of literature requested to understand the processes. This review aims to gather evidence about 3D-printed teeth on the following aspects: (1) why they are advantageous; (2) how they are manufactured; (3) problems they present; and (4) future research topics. Natural teeth are still the standard practice in ex vivo studies and pre-clinical courses, but they have several drawbacks. Printed teeth may overcome all limitations of natural teeth. Printing technology relies on 3D data and post-processing tools to form a 3D model, ultimately generating a prototype using 3D printers. The major concerns with 3D-printed teeth are the resin hardness and printing accuracy of the canal anatomy. Guidance is presented for future studies to solve the problems of 3D-printed teeth and develop well-established protocols, for the standardization of methods to be achieved. In the future, 3D-printed teeth have the possibility to become the gold standard in ex vivo studies and endodontic training.

Keywords: endodontics; printing; three dimensional; tooth; 3D-printed teeth; review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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