3D Printing of Zirconia–What is the Future?

Within this review, the current needs of the dental industry will be discussed with special focus on additive manufacturing (3D printing) of dental restorations. Up to now, subtractive manufacturing methods are state of the art for production of monolithic restorations. Here, the challenges and opportunities currently existing for 3D printing of crowns and bridges will be evaluated. Over the last 10 years, the LCM technology has evolved to the state of the art 3D printing technique for dense and precise ceramics. A case study will present here the full digital workflow from acquiring the data of the patient to manufacturing the final restoration. It can be shown that with the LCM technology, it is possible to manufacture highly accurate parts with exceptional good surface quality. Furthermore, it can be shown that established techniques for staining and glazing conventionally manufactured restorations are also perfectly suitable for parts manufactured by means of the LCM technology. Particularly attractive restorations and outstanding reproduction of the sharp-edged crown margins are possible, together with the exact reproduction of the occlusal surfaces with sharp and natural replication of the fissures.