3D Printing in Dentistry: A Scoping Review of Clinical Applications, Advantages, and Current Limitations

Background/Objectives: Three-dimensional (3D) printing is transforming dentistry by enabling precise and personalized treatments in prosthodontics, orthodontics, and en-dodontics. However, challenges such as high costs, material limitations, and post-processing requirements hinder its broader adoption. This review evaluates the clinical applications, benefits, and limitations of 3D printing in these disciplines. Methods: A narrative review was conducted using literature from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus, covering studies from January 2006 to November 2024. Key top-ics included applications, material properties, and technological challenges in pros-thodontics, orthodontics, and endodontics. Results: In prosthodontics, 3D printing fa-cilitates the fabrication of crowns, bridges, and dentures with high accuracy, though material strength and stability remain challenges. Orthodontics benefits from 3D-printed aligners and diagnostic models, improving patient comfort and treatment precision, but issues with material durability persist. In endodontics, 3D-printed sur-gical guides and training models enhance procedural accuracy and educational out-comes. Across disciplines, 3D printing reduces production time and enhances custom-ization but incurs high costs and requires significant post-processing. Conclusions: 3D printing has revolutionized dental care by improving precision, efficiency, and patient satisfaction. However, material and cost-related barriers limit its widespread clinical use. Ongoing research and technological advancements are essential to address these challenges, improve material properties, and reduce costs, paving the way for broader applications and better patient outcomes in personalized dental care.