Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology allows the production of an individualized 3D object based on a material of choice, a specific computer-aided design and precise manufacturing. Developments in digital technology, smart biomaterials and advanced cell culturing, combined with 3D printing, provide promising grounds for patient-tailored treatments. In dentistry, the “digital workflow” comprising intraoral scanning for data acquisition, object design and 3D printing, is already in use for manufacturing of surgical guides, dental models and reconstructions. 3D printing, however, remains un-investigated for oral mucosa/gingiva. This scoping literature review provides an overview of the 3D printing technology and its applications in regenerative medicine to then describe 3D printing in dentistry for the production of surgical guides, educational models and the biological reconstructions of periodontal tissues from laboratory to a clinical case. The biomaterials suitable for oral soft tissues printing are outlined. The current treatments and their limitations for oral soft tissue regeneration are presented, including “off the shelf” products and the blood concentrate (PRF). Finally, tissue engineered gingival equivalents are described as the basis for future 3D-printed oral soft tissue constructs. The existing knowledge exploring different approaches could be applied to produce patient-tailored 3D-printed oral soft tissue graft with an appropriate inner architecture and outer shape, leading to a functional as well as aesthetically satisfying outcome.
Highlights
Recent years have seen an expansion of the field of three-dimensional (3D) printing, referred to as additive manufacturing or solid freeform fabrication [1,2]. 3D printing technology allows the production of an individualized 3D object based on a material of choice and a specific computer-aided design
3D printing has found use in producing anatomical models for education and training [18,19]. This scoping review provides a brief summary of 3D printing approaches in the medicinal field, with a particular emphasis on the current status of 3D printing in dentistry, and the possibilities it offers for personalized soft tissue volume augmentation
The mainly employed printing methods can be broadly divided into acellular techniques comprising stereolithography (SLA), powder-fusion printing (PFP), solid freeform fabrication (SFF) and techniques including cells: inkjet-based, extrusion-based, and laser-assisted bioprinting (LAB)
Summary
Recent years have seen an expansion of the field of three-dimensional (3D) printing, referred to as additive manufacturing or solid freeform fabrication [1,2]. 3D printing technology allows the production of an individualized 3D object based on a material of choice and a specific computer-aided design. The model is converted into cross-sectional slices and sent to the 3D printer, which deposits layer after layer of the chosen material to produce an object Such “additive manufacturing” has several advantages over conventional, subtractive manufacturing: (1) it allows the production of a controlled inner structure, (2) it reduces material waste, (3) the object is produced as a single unit instead of being assembled from individual parts, and (4) the designed files can be transferred electronically, shared and indefinitely stored without occupying physical space. 3D printing has found use in producing anatomical models for education and training [18,19] This scoping review provides a brief summary of 3D printing approaches in the medicinal field, with a particular emphasis on the current status of 3D printing in dentistry, and the possibilities it offers for personalized soft tissue volume augmentation
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