3D Printing - A Novel Advancement in Periodontology and Implantology

Applications of 3D printing in dentistry are already diverse and it is a promisingtechnological innovation for regenerative periodontology. 3D printing has revolutionized thefield of periodontology. Various uses of this technology have been reported in literature invarious fields including 3D-printed scaffold for socket preservation, periodontal repair andregeneration, and sinus and bone augmentation, peri-implant maintenance, and implanteducation. 3D-printed scaffolds show predictable outcome for bone and tissue regeneration aswell as sinus and bone augmentation. Implant placement using 3D printing surgical templateincreases the accuracy, reduces deviation in position, incidence of complications, surgical time, postoperative pain, and swelling. 3D-printed models have a promising role as an education tool.Even now, nearly everything we make for our patients can be made by a 3D printer, but no singletechnology is sufficient for all our patient’s needs also, extra cost and time are the limitingfactors. Despite these concerns it is clear that 3D printing will have an increasingly importantrole to play in dentistry.