Additive Prototyping in Dentistry- 3D Printing and Selective Laser Sintering

3D printing has been acclaimed as a disruptive technology which will change manufacturing of dental prosthesis. This technology is used in various fields such as aerospace, defense, art. Recently it has become a subject of great interest in virtual surgical planning. The technology has a particular resonance with dentistry. It has become of great importance with advancement in 3D imaging and modelling technologies such as CBCT, intraoral scanning and CAD CAM in dentistry. Uses of additive prototyping include the production of drill guides for dental implants, the production of physical models for prosthodontics, orthodontics and surgery, the manufacture of dental, cranio-maxillofacial and orthopedic implants and the fabrication of copings and frameworks for implant and dental restorations. This paper reviews the types of 3D printing technologies available and their various applications in dentistry and in maxillofacial surgery.