Table 1 –
Studies in chronological and alphabetical order, reporting 3D printing of restorative materials using a stereolithography-based (SL) printer. Gray shaded studies clinically applied the printed structure(s).
| Study | Objective | SL material, printed structure (N; NS; n); 3D printer | Evaluated parameter(s) | Main conclusion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bilgin et al., 2015 [23] | To fabricate dentures using CAD-CAM and RP, combining with conventional laboratory techniques. | Light-cured resin (E-Dent 100; EnvisionTEC) denture teeth set (n = 1); Perfactory® 4 DDP Mini (EnvisionTEC) | Feasibility and applicability of a technology (proof of concept) | Denture teeth sets fabricated by CAD/CAM and RP can be accomplished with reduced chair time, self-designed esthetics and occlusion. |
| Alharbi et al., 2016 [62] | To evaluate the effect of build direction (layer orientation) on the mechanical properties of a novel restorative material. | Hybrid composite resin (Temporis, DWS) cylinders (NS = 40; n = 20); DW028D 3D-printer (DWS) | Printing layer orientation and compressive strength | Composite material printed with the layers oriented perpendicular to load direction have greater compressive strength than material printed horizontally. |
| Alharbi et al., 2016 [35] | To evaluate the influence of build (support) angle and configuration on dimensional accuracy of 3D-printed crowns. | Hybrid composite resin (Temporis DD-1000, DWS) dental crowns (NS = 18; n = 1); DW028D 3D-printer (DWS) | Dimensional accuracy (9 build angles and 2 support types) | The 120° build angle should offer the crown the highest dimensional accuracy and self-supported geometry with the least necessary support surface area. |
| Digholkar et al., 2016 [63] | To evaluate and compare properties of provisional restorative materials fabricated by RP, CAD-CAM, and conventional methods. | Light-cured resin (E-Dent 100, Envision TEC) bar-shaped specimens (N = 60; NS = 20; n = 20); Perfactory® 4 Standard (EnvisionTEC) | Flexural strength and microhardness | All materials showed flexural strength higher than minimal acceptable for provisional restorations. RP specimens showed the highest hardness values. |
| Jooet al., 2016 [36] | To perform a complete mouth rehabilitation using 3D printing and CAD/CAM double-scanning method. | Light-cured resin (E-Dent, Envision TEC) provisional crowns (NS = 17; n = 1); DDP (EnvisionTEC) | Feasibility and applicability of a technology (proof of concept) | 3D printed resin-based provisional crowns showed adequate fitting and fractures during interim service. |
| Bae et al., 2017 [48] | To evaluate the accuracy of inlay restorations fabricated by AM comparing to subtractive methods. | Polymer (VisiJet FTX Green, 3D Systems) distal-occlusal inlays (N = 40; NS = 10; n = 10); ProJet 1200 (3D Systems) | Dimensional accuracy and surface morphology | The accuracy of inlays fabricated by AM is higher than that of subtractive methods. |
| Dehurtevent et al., 2017 [16] | To compare material’s properties of SL-manufactured alumina ceramics of different composition to those of subtractive- manufactured ceramics and to produce dental crown frameworks. | Experimental alumina slurries for testing bars (NS = 90; n = 15) and crown framework (n = 1); CryoCeram (CryoBeryl) | Viscosity, density, flexural strength, structural shrinkage, and Weibull structural reliability | Viscosity of the alumina slurry influenced the SL-manufacturing process. High particle size (d50≈ 1.6 μm) and volume fraction (80wt%) resulted in reliable anisotropic shrinkage, high density, flexural strength, and Weibull characteristics suitable for SL manufacturing. |
| Lee et al., 2017 [37] | To evaluate the internal and marginal fit of provisional crowns manufactured by CAD/CAM milling and 3D printing methods. | Polymer (ZMD-1000B, Dentis) provisional crowns (N = 30; NS = 10; n = 10); Zenith (Dentis) | Internal and marginal fit | SL-manufactured crowns showed similar or better marginal and internal fit than CAD-CAM milled crowns. |
| Lin et al., 2017 [24] | To duplicate a complete removable dental prosthesis (CRDP) using SL technology. | Polymer (Standard Clear Resin, Formlabs) CRDP (n = 1); Form 2 (Formlabs) | Proof of concept | It is feasible to duplicate a CRDP using SL technology. |
| Osman et al., 2017 [38] | To evaluate the effect of the build orientation/build angle on the dimensional accuracy of full-coverage dental restorations manufactured by DLP. | Resin (Next Dent C&B) provisional crowns (NS = 9; n = 1); D30 (Rapid Shape GmbH) | Dimensional accuracy (9 build angles) | The angle of 135° offered the highest dimensional accuracy and the most favorable deviation pattern, with a self-supporting crown geometry throughout the building process. |
| Totu et al., 2017 [25] | To obtain a PMMA-TiO2 material with improved antibacterial characteristics, suitable for manufacturing 3D printed dental prosthesis. | Resin (E-Dent 100, Envision TEC) + TiO2 nanoparticles specimens (NI) and denture (n = 1); Perfactory® (EnvisionTEC) | Microstructure and surface morphology, antibacterial effect; proof of concept | Significant improvements in polymer characteristics and nice dispersion of the TiO2 nanoparticles were noticed for 0.4wt%, which was used for stereolitographic complete denture prototyping. |
| Alharbi et al., 2018 [39] | To evaluate the influence of fabrication method (CAD-CAM and SL) and four finish line design on marginal and internal fit of provisional crowns. | Hybrid composite resin (Temporis A2, DWS) crowns (N = 80; NS = 40; n = 10); DW028D 3D-printer (DWS) | Marginal and internal fit | The fabrication methods influenced more on the fit than the finish-line design. SL-printed crowns showed lower marginal and internal gap than milled restorations, but both techniques showed adequate values. |
| Bae et al., 2018 [49] | To compare subtractive (CAD-CAM) and additive (SL) manufacturing methods to investigate if the CAD data of the proposed inlay shape is correctly machined. | Polymer (VisiJet FTX Green, 3D Systems) mesial-occlusal inlays (N = 40; NS = 10; n = 10); ProJet 1200 (3D Systems) | Dimensional accuracy and surface morphology | SL showed the best accuracy but both additive and subtractive methods can be used clinically |
| Chen et al., 2018 [64] | To synthesized a bioactive nanocomposite for enhanced antibacterial and biocompatibility characteristics suitable for 3D printing dental prosthesis. | Experimental PMMA-based nanocomposite (n = 1). Printer not mentioned. | Surface morphology, antibacterial efficacy, cytocompatibility | The nanocomposite showed excellent antibacterial efficacy and favorable compatibility with dental pulp cells, being efficaciously employed for denture manufacturing using SL. |
| Chen et al., 2018 [26] | To develop a composite of nanocrystalline cellulose-silver (CNCs-Ag) introduced into the PMMA matrix with enhanced mechanical properties, high antibacterial activities and excellent biocompatibilities. | PMMA-CNCs-Ag composite resin (NextDent Denture 3+) for bar-shaped specimens (n = 6) and denture base (n = 1); DLP Vida (Envision Tech) | Flexural strength, Surface morphology, antibacterial efficacy, cytotoxicity | The composite showed high antibacterial activity with no significant cytotoxic effect. It showed great potential and it is recommended as a functional dental restoration material. |
| Chung et al., 2018 [27] | To evaluate chipping and fracture resistance of 3D printing resin material compared with resin denture teeth. | Methacrylate-based resin (Dentca) denture teeth (N = 50; NS = 10; n = 10); Zenith (Dentis) | Chipping and fracture resistance | Fracture resistance of 3D printed resin teeth was comparable to prefabricated denture teeth. |
| Dikova et al., 2018 [40] | To compare the dimensional accuracy and surface roughness of polymeric dental bridges produced by different 3D printers. | Methacrylate-based resins (NextDent C + B and Formlabs) 4-unit dental bridges (N = 9; NS = 6; n = 3); Form 1+ (Formlabs) and D30 (Rapid Shape GmbH) | Dimensional accuracy and surface roughness | Printing settings, polymer properties, sample position and building direction influence geometric characteristics and surface roughness. SL can be successfully used to fabricate 4-unit dental bridges. |
| Katreva et al., 2018 [41] | A case report to demonstrate that 3D printing is a precise alternative to fabricate dental restorations. | Resin (Next Dent C&B) provisional crown (n = 1); D30 (Rapid Shape GmbH) | Clinical applicability | 3D printing offers time saving, precise accuracy and fitting of the constructions, no risk of distortions and laboratory mistakes, production of complex shapes with no need of special tools and almost no waste material. |
| Li et al., 2018 [42] | To use a SL-based technology to 3D print provisional dental crown and bridge | Commercially available high viscosity polymers (Unifast LC; Revotek LC; and Ervotek LC) for temporary restorations (NS = 3; n = 1); custom made 3D printer | Proof of concept | The temperature controlled SL-based method can 3D print high viscous crown material with fast speed and high resolution. |
| Lin et al., 2018 [28] | To propose a digital workflow for fabricating a mandibular interim complete removable dental prosthesis (CRDP) with an in-office DLP 3D printer. | Soft-tissue colored (NextDent Base) and A2-shade (Freeprint temp UV; DETAX Ettlingen) resins for CRDP (n = 1); MAX (Asiga) | Proof of concept | Further studies are need to investigate the design parameters in different CAD software programs and printing strategies in different 3D printers to achieve optimal clinical outcome. |
| Park et al., 2018 [66] | To evaluate the wear resistance of 3D printing resin material compared with milling and conventional resin materials. | Resin (Next Dent C&B) specimens (N = 60; NS = 20; n = 20); D1–150 (Veltz3D) | Wear resistance (volume loss and maximal depth loss of wear) | Wear resistance of the 3D printed resin material was in a range comparable to milled or conventionally fabricated resin materials. |
| Tahayeri et al., 2018 [58] | To optimize the 3D printing of a dental material for provisional restorations using a low-cost SL 3D printer, and compare its mechanical properties against two conventionally cured provisional dental materials. | Resin (NextDent C&B) bar-shaped samples (N = 36; NS = 24; n = 6); Form 1+ (Formlabs) | Printing accuracy, degree of conversion, elastic modulus and peak stress. | 3D printable provisional restorative material allows for sufficient mechanical properties for intraoral use, despite the limited 3D printing accuracy of the printing system of choice. |
| Unkovskiy et al., 2018 [59] | To evaluate the influence of printing parameters on flexural properties and accuracy of SL-printed standard objects. | Dental SG resin (Formlabs) bar-shaped samples (NS = 30; n = 10 for 3 orientations; NS = 49; n = 49 for positioning; NS = 40; n = 10 for post-curing); Form 2 (Formlabs) | Printing orientation, positioning and accuracy, flexural strength and flexural modulus | 45° printing orientation showed the best accuracy and 90° specimens with layer orientation parallel to the axial load showed superior flexural strength and flexural modulus. Objects printed on the borders of build platform are rather prone to inaccuracies than those in the center. |
| Clark et al., 2019 [29] | To propose a digitally replicated denture technique (DRDT) demonstrating a predictable workflow for fabricating complete dentures for patients with existing dentures. | Resin (NI) for replicated and trial dentures (n = 2); Form 2 (Formlabs) | Proof of concept | The clinical case showed that DRDT using rapid prototyping can streamline the process of complete denture fabrication for patients with existing dentures. |
| Jang et al., 2019 [50] | To analyze suspensions with various zirconia (Zr) volume fractions (Vv) and their influence on microstructural and physical properties of products produced by DLP-AM and sintering processes. | Six (48–58vol% in Vv) experimental Zr-based suspensions for bars (NS = 60; n = 10), discs (NS = 60; n = 10) and crowns (NI); Octave Light R1 (Octave Light Ltd.). | Viscosity, depth of cure (DC), geometrical overgrowth, thermal behavior, sintering shrinkage, density, and flexural strength | As Zr Vv increased in the suspensions, the viscosity increased and DC decreased. Distortion due to geometrical overgrowth was observed after polymerization. Maximum strength was 675 MPa for a Vv of 58vol%. |
| Kalberer et al., 2019 [30] | To compare the differences in trueness between the CAD-CAM milled and 3D-printed complete dentures. | Resin (NextDent Denture 3+) for complete denture (N = 20; NS = 10; n = 10); RapidShape D30 (Rapid Shape) | Trueness (accuracy of fit to a master model) considering 8 regions | CAD-CAM milled complete dentures were superior to 3D-printed complete dentures in terms of trueness of the intaglio surfaces. |
| Kessler et al., 2019 [65] | To investigate the three body wear resistance of 3D printed resin materials in comparison to one milled PMMA and one direct composite materials. | Resins (3Delta temp; NextDent C&B; Freeprint temp) specimens (N = 40; NS = 24; n = 8); D20II (Rapid Shape) | Three-body wear resistance | 3D printed temporary resins showed comparative wear resistance to established materials for temporary use. Differences between materials were more pronounced than between manufacturing techniques. |
| Lee et al., 2019 [31] | To evaluate the accuracy and surface resolution of denture bases fabricated by three methods: injection molding, milling, and DLP RP using surface matching software. | Resin (NextDent Base) for denture base (N = 30; NS = 10; n = 10); Bio3D W1 (Bio3D Inc.) | Dimensional accuracy and surface resolution | Overall accuracy of denture base is higher in milling and RP methods than the injection molding method. Surface resolution is higher in the injection molding method than the milling or RP methods. |
| Li et al., 2019 [51] | To use AM to fabricate dental bridges and implants made of zirconia. | Custom made resin-based zirconia slurry for dental bridges and implants (n = NI); DLP 3D printer (brand NI) | Structural and morphological characterization | Several technical barriers have to be overcome to apply 3D printed all-ceramic prostheses to clinical practice. |
| Li et al., 2019 [52] | To evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of SL-manufactured zirconia dental crowns and analyze their internal and marginal adaptation. | Custom made resin-based zirconia (45vol%) slurry for experimental samples (n = 22) and molar crowns (n = 5); CSL 150 (Porimy) | Density, sintering shrinkage, flexural strength, Weibull parameters, internalmarginal adaptation. | The strength of SL-manufactured zirconia was adequate to fabricate dental crowns, which showed less than ideal internal and marginal adaptation for clinical application. |
| Sa et al., 2019 [43] | To evaluate the antibacterial properties and mechanical behavior of an experimental resin for 3D printing restorations. | Experimental resin for crowns and bridges (n = 1) and testing samples (n = NI); DLP printing system | Flexural strength and modulus, antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity | The 3D printable composite material with Ag-HNT/SLR showed high strength, sustaining antibacterial activity and non-toxicity. |
| Uçar et al., 2019 [55] | To compare mechanical and microstructural properties of a ceramics from lithography-based ceramic manufacturing (LCM) with pressing and CAD/CAM methods. | High-purity alumina (LithaLox HP 500, Lithoz) for disc-shaped specimens (N = 30; NS = 10; n = 10); CeraFab 7500 (Lithoz) | Biaxial flexural strength, hardness, fracture toughness, structural reliability | LCM can be used to produce ceramic parts. Mechanical properties and manufacturing of LCM ceramics seem to be promising but need improvements, mainly to reduce porosity. |
| Wang et al., 2019 [53] | To evaluate the trueness of zirconia crowns fabricated by 3D printing in comparison with crowns fabricated by CAD-CAM milling as a control. | Photosensitive resin mixed with zirconia paste (3DMixZrO2L, 3DCeram Co.) for crowns (N = 20; NS = 10; n = 10); Ceramaker 900 (3DCeram Co.) | Trueness (dimensional accuracy considering 4 crown locations) | Zirconia crowns produced by 3D printing met the trueness requirements, and 3D printing may be suitable for fabricating zirconia crowns. |
| Zandinejad et al., 2019 [54] | To compare the fracture resistance of milled zirconia (MZr), milled lithium disilicate (MLD), and AM zirconia (AMZr) crowns when cemented to MZr implant abutment. | Zirconia paste (3DMix ZrO2, 3DCeram Co.) for crowns (N = 30; NS = 10; n = 10); Ceramaker 900 (3DCeram Co.) | Fracture resistance and mode of failure | AMZr crowns showed comparable fracture resistance to milled restorations. AM appears to be a promising technology for the fabrication of all ceramic restorations. |
| Zimmermann et al., 2019 [44] | To evaluate the fracture behavior of different CAD/CAM ceramics and composites and one 3D-printed composite as a function of different crown thicknesses (0.5, 1 and 1.5 mm). | Composite (els-3D Harz, Saremco Dental AG) for crowns (N = 180; NS = 30; n = 10); DLP Freeform Pro 2 (ASIGA) | Fatigue and fracture load | As none of the 0.5-mm ceramic crowns survived fatigue testing and all 0.5-mm composite crowns did, composites may have advantageous material characteristics compared to ceramic CAD/CAM materials for minimal restoration thicknesses. |
| Cha et al., 2020 [32] | To compare the wear resistance of 3D-printed denture teeth with that of conventionally prefabricated denture teeth. | Dentca PMMA-based resin (Dentca Inc.) for denture teeth (N = 80; NS = 12; n = 12); Zenith D (Dentis) | Wear resistance | The wear behavior of 3D-printed denture tooth resin was comparable to that of prefabricated denture teeth. |
| Ioannidis et al., 2020 [56] | To test the load-bearing capacity of ultra-thin molar occlusal veneers fabricated with 3D-printed zirconia, CAD-CAM milled zirconia, and pressed glass-ceramic. | Zirconia slurry (LithaCon 3Y 610 white, Lithoz) for occlusal veneers (N = 60; NS = 20; n = 20); CeraFab 7500 (Lithoz) | Load-bearing capacity (dynamic aging by cyclic fatigue and temperature variation) | Despite significant differences between restorative materials, all load-bearing capacities exceeded the clinically expected normal bite forces. |
| Jurado et al., 2020 [34] | Using case reports to compare subtractive and additive technologies for the manufacture of immediate complete dentures. | Dentca PMMA-based resin (Dentca Inc.) for denture teeth (N = 2; NS = 1; n = 1); M2 SpeedCell (Carbon) | Case report | Both approaches resulted in well-fitted immediate complete dentures. Printing technology does not provide anatomical details and needs to improve the bonding between teeth set and baseplate. |
| Lin et al., 2020 [61] | To evaluate materials based on Bis-EMA, UDMA, and TEGDMA as 3D printing resins and to characterize the mechanical and biological properties and accuracy of the 3D-printed objects. | Experimental resins based on Bis-EMA, UDMA, and TEGDMA for disc-, cube-, and bar-shaped specimens(NS = 168; n = 8, 5, and 3); custom-made UV-DLP printer (NI) | Viscosity, dimensional accuracy, flexural strength and modulus, depth of cure (DC), and hardness | The experimental resins are good candidates for 3D printing dental parts, which showed favorable biological and mechanical properties. The accuracy of the printed specimens showed potential for clinical application. |
| Park et al., 2020 [22] | To 3D print resin (PMMA) dentures with metal cusps. | Ti6Al4V alloy (LaserForm Ti Grade 23) for cusps printed with ProX 100 DMP (3D systems); a photopolymer (NextDent C&B) for denture base and teeth printed with Bio3D-L12 (Bio3D) | Proof of concept | Metal and PMMA resin were designed separately and combined by using general purpose software to produce digitally fabricated dentures, demonstrating digital prosthesis designs with improved functionality. |
| Peng et al., 2020 [45] | To evaluate the internal fit and marginal discrepancy of interim crowns made by different manufacturing methods. | Resin (NextDent C&B MFH) for crowns (N = 48; NS = 16; n = 16); DLP MiiCraft125 (Young Optics) | Internal fit and marginal discrepancy | Digitally fabricated crowns (CAD-CAM and 3D-printed) had better internal fit and smaller marginal discrepancy than manually constructed crowns. |
| Peng et al., 2020 [46] | To compare the internal fit and marginal discrepancy of interim crowns fabricated by different manufacturing methods. | Resin (NextDent C&B MFH) for crowns (N = 36; NS = 12; n = 12); DLP MiiCraft125 (Young Optics) | Internal fit and marginal discrepancy | Digitally fabricated interim crowns (CAD-CAM and 3D-printed) had better internal fit and smaller marginal discrepancy than manually fabricated interim crowns |
| Revilla-León et al., 2020 [67] | To measure and compare color dimensions of five different AM and two conventional interim restorative materials. | Resins (*Detax FreePrint temp; †Envisiontec E-Dent 400; *NextDent C&B; *NextDent C&B MFH; ┼Stratasys Med620 VEROGlaze) disks (N = 420; NS = 300; n = 60); *D30 (Rapid Shape), †VIDA (EnvisionTEC), and ┼Eden 260VS (Stratasys) | Color differences | None of the additively manufactured interim materials tested matched the conventional interim materials in all 3 CIELab color dimensions. |
| Reymus et al., 2020 [47] | To investigate the impact of 3D print material, build direction, post-curing, and artificial aging on fracture load of interim 3-unit fixed dental prostheses (FDPs). | Resins (EXP- experimental; CB- NextDent C&B; FT- DetaxFreePrint temp; DT- Deltamed 3Delta temp) for FDPs (N = 405; NS = 360; n = 15); D20II (Rapidshape) | Fracture load | Interim 3D-printed FDPs might offer an alternative to milled and conventionally fabricated ones. Adequate post-curing is crucial for 3D-printed materials to ensure sufficient mechanical properties, but they are more prone to artificial aging than milled PMMA, questioning their long-term use. |
| Schönherr et al., 2020 [57] | To optimize the precision of glass ceramic additively manufactured parts, especially dental molar crowns. | Experimental lithium disilicate-based ceramic filled photosensitive resin slurries for crowns (NI); DLP printer (NI). | Dimensional accuracy of 3D-printed glass-ceramic crowns | The best precision of the final part was obtained from micro computed tomography (CT) scanning. It resulted in an optimized process allowing for possible production of high precision molar crowns with dimensional accuracy and high reproducibility. |
| Shim et al., 2020 [60] | To evaluate the effect of 3 printing orientations (0°, 45° and 90°) on the printing accuracy, flexural strength, surface characteristics, and microbial response of 3D-printed denture base resin. | PMMA for denture base (NextDent Base) specimens (NS = 30; n = 10); Form 2 (Formlabs) | Printing accuracy, flexural strength, surface roughness, hydrophilicity, surface energy, and microbial response to Candida albicans | Printing orientation influenced printing accuracy, flexural strength, roughness, and response to C. albicans. Thus, printing orientation should be carefully decided to fabricate products with appropriate properties. |
| Takeda et al., 2020 [33] | To fabricate 3D-printed replication dentures using digital workflow. | Photopolymerizing resin (Formlabs Dental SG V1) replication dentures (NS = 2); Form 2 (Formlabs) | Proof of concept | Digital replication of dentures allows for necessary repairs and changes to be made while also maintaining the desirable features of the existing dentures. |
AM- additive manufacturing; RP- rapid prototyping; SLA- stereolithography apparatus; DLP- digital light processing; LCM- lithography-based ceramic manufacturing; CAD-CAM- computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing; PMMA- Poly(methylmethacrylate); Bis-EMA- ethoxylated bisphenol A-dimethacrylate; UDMA- urethane dimethacrylate; TEGDMA- triethylene glycol dimethacrylate; N- total number of structures/samples in the study, and/or NS- total number of SL structures/samples in the study; n- SL sample size (per experimental group); NI- not informed.