Rapid prototyping and stereolithography in dentistry: Radiographic role

Abstract

Emergence of advanced digital technology has opened up new perspectives for design and production in the field of dentistry. Rapid prototyping (RP) is a technique to quickly and automatically construct a three-dimensional (3D) model of a part or product using 3D printers or stereolithography machine. The first method for rapid prototyping was introduced in the 1980s in the field of engineering for the fabrication of a solid model based on a computed file. The innovation of digital technology have revolutionized dentistry, and this digitized medical treatment. Rapid prototyping is a type of computer aided manufacturing that make physical objects from computer data. It is a technology that is capable of making physical objects directly from 3D computer data by adding a layer upon layer and 3D physical structures are known as rapid prototypes. These includes steriolithography, selective laser sintering, 3D Printers and fused deposition modeling. Rapid prototyping presents fascinating opportunities, but the process is difficult as it demands a high level of artistic skill, which means that the dental technicians should be able to work with the models obtained after impression to form a mirror image and achieve good esthetics. This review aims to focus on various RP methods and its application in dentistry.