Description:

Dental ceramics have become increasingly popular as restorative materials because of their esthetics and biocompatibility. Although today milling considered to be the gold standard for manufacturing ceramics with proven records, it does carry its own shortcomings and limitations. Additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing was introduced as a new manufacturing technique in dentistry and today 3D printing is available for manufacturing ceramic restorations. This new technology enables the production of parts with complex geometries, controlled properties, and surface characteristics with many innovative potentials in clinical dentistry.  

Objectives:

1. Advantages of additive manufacturing and available technologies for 3D printing ceramics
2. The properties of 3D printed ceramics and its application in prosthodontics
3. The innovative ideas and the future of 3D printing ceramics in prosthodontics