In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), technological progress is changing established workflows and enabling some basic routines to be updated. In dentistry, the patient’s face is a crucial part of treatment planning, although it has always been difficult to grasp in an analytical way. This review highlights the current digital advances that, thanks to AI tools, allow us to implement facial features beyond symmetry and proportionality and incorporate facial analysis into diagnosis and treatment planning in orthodontics. A Scopus literature search was conducted to identify the topics with the greatest research potential within digital orthodontics over the last five years. The most researched and cited topic was artificial intelligence and its applications in orthodontics. Apart from automated 2D or 3D cephalometric analysis, AI finds its application in facial analysis, decision-making algorithms as well as in the evaluation of treatment progress and retention. Together with AI, other digital advances are shaping the face of today’s orthodontics. Without any doubts, the era of “old” orthodontics is at its end, and modern, face-driven orthodontics is on the way to becoming a reality in modern orthodontic practices.

Three-dimensional printing has transformed dentistry by enabling the production of customized dental restorations, aligners, surgical guides, and implants. A variety of polymers and composites are used, each with distinct properties. This review explores materials used in 3D printing for dental applications, focusing on trends identified through a literature search in PubMed, Scopus, and the Web of Science. The most studied areas include 3D-printed crowns, bridges, removable prostheses, surgical guides, and aligners. The development of new materials is still ongoing and also holds great promise in terms of environmentally friendly technologies. Modern manufacturing technologies have a promising future in all areas of dentistry: prosthetics, periodontology, dental and oral surgery, implantology, orthodontics, and regenerative dentistry. However, further studies are needed to safely introduce the latest materials, such as nanodiamond-reinforced PMMA, PLA reinforced with nanohydroxyapatite or magnesium, PLGA composites with tricalcium phosphate and magnesium, and PEEK reinforced with hydroxyapatite or titanium into clinical practice.

Improving one’s appearance is one of the main reasons to undergo an orthodontic therapy. While occlusion is important, not just for long-term stability, aesthetics is often considered a key factor in patient’s satisfaction. Following recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI), this study set out to investigate whether AI can help guide orthodontists in diagnosis and treatment planning. In this study, 25 male and 25 female faces were generated and consequently enhanced using FaceApp (ver. 11.10, FaceApp Technology Limited, Limassol, Cyprus), one of the many pictures transforming applications on the market. Both original and FaceApp-modified pictures were then assessed by 441 respondents regarding their attractiveness, and the pictures were further compared using a software for picture analyses. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square goodness of fit test R Studio Studio (ver. 4.1.1, R Core Team, Vienna, Austria) software and the level of statistical significance was set to 0.05. The interrater reliability was tested using Fleiss’ Kappa for m Raters. The results showed that in 49 out of 50 cases, the FaceApp-enhanced pictures were considered to be more attractive. Selected pictures were further analyzed using the graphical software GIMP. The most prominent changes were observed in lip fullness, eye size, and lower face height. The results suggest that AI-powered face enhancement could be a part of the diagnosis and treatment planning stages in orthodontics. These enhanced pictures could steer clinicians towards soft-tissue-oriented and personalized treatment planning, respecting patients’ wishes for improved face appearance.

3D printing technologies are manufacturing technologies based on computer-designed digital models that allow fabrication of layered three-dimensional objects. This review aims to present a summary of the literature published on 3D-printed polymer and composite materials in dentistry. A literature search was performed using the PubMed database to identify eligible articles. In total 508 articles were identified based on the original search query, with 362 being eliminated based on the exclusion criteria and 146 articles were screened and based on their abstracts, 68 articles were studied in detail. Subsequently, these articles were divided into three groups based on the area of application: (1) restorative dentistry, which included 3D printed crowns, bridges, and veneers; (2) regenerative dentistry and tissue engineering, such as 3D printed scaffolds; (3) fabrication of oral guides and other appliances, such as surgical guides, dental implants, and surgical splints. In this review the 3D printing technology is described, including its benefits regarding working time, accuracy and overall design and fabrication of products. The review shows that the most studied area of application of printable polymers and composites is regenerative dentistry. Even though these materials are studied for their properties and the effects on the human body as well as the environment, novel materials with specific and revolutionary characteristics that have emerged in recent years are given special attention. However, more research is needed to ensure the safety of use and confirm the characteristics of novel materials in both in vivo and in vitro conditions.

Four-dimensional (4D) printing is an emerging additive manufacturing technology that uses stimuli-responsive materials capable of time-dependent transformation. In orthodontics, it offers the potential to develop adaptive, patient-specific appliances with controlled mechanical behavior. Smart materials, particularly shape memory polymers, are central to this concept due to their ability to respond to external stimuli such as temperature or light. This scoping review aims to map the current evidence on 4D printing and smart materials in orthodontics, focusing on material development, activation mechanisms, and potential clinical applications, including clear aligner therapy. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and Scopus for studies published between 2016 and 2026, following PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Scoping Reviews) guidelines. From 482 identified records, 32 studies met the inclusion criteria. Data were synthesized into three main categories: orthodontic applications of 4D printing, smart material development, and related biomedical applications. Most included studies described experimental or conceptual applications of shape memory polymers in adaptive orthodontic systems, suggesting potential for time-dependent force delivery and improved treatment personalization. However, clinical evidence remains limited. Key limitations include the predominance of in vitro studies, lack of standardization, and absence of long-term clinical validation. Despite these challenges, 4D printing represents a promising approach for advancing personalized orthodontic treatment.