In this comprehensive review, the current state of the art and recent advances in 3D printing in dentistry are explored. This article provides an overview of the fundamental principles of 3D printing with a focus on vat photopolymerization (VP), the most commonly used technological principle in dental practice, which includes SLA, DLP, and LCD (or mSLA) technologies. The advantages, disadvantages, and shortcomings of these technologies are also discussed. This article delves into the key stages of the dental 3D printing process, from computer-aided design (CAD) to postprocessing, emphasizing the importance of postrinsing and postcuring to ensure the biocompatibility of custom-made medical devices. Legal considerations and regulatory obligations related to the production of custom medical devices through 3D printing are also addressed. This article serves as a valuable resource for dental practitioners, researchers, and health care professionals interested in applying this innovative technology in clinical practice.

The adhesive–resin composite pair has been the cornerstone of direct restorations in dentistry for many years. Resin composites are traditionally classified in three ways based on their inorganic structure, their organic composition and their viscosity. While these classifications have long been associated with the optical, mechanical, and clinical properties of resin composites, recent studies indicate that this classification is not always valid. In recent years, a significant expansion of the range of clinical resin composite families has occurred, each with varying degrees of validation through in vitro and clinical studies. As a result, new resin composites with distinct structures, viscosities, and clinical indications have emerged. Despite this progress, a formal classification of the clinical features of all resin composites is still lacking, leading to terminological inconsistencies in research and potential confusion among clinicians. This brief review, supported by an exhaustive search of the dental literature, proposes a new clinical classification system for resin composites based on their key clinical features to help clinicians and researchers easily identify the key clinical characteristics of formulations. This modular classification, encompassing eight main families and 14 characteristics, is particularly suited to future developments, as current trends aim to simplify procedures by integrating multiple formulations into single products.

Computer-Aided Design and Applications is an international journal on the applications of CAD and CAM. It publishes papers in the general domain of CAD plus in emerging fields like bio-CAD, nano-CAD, soft-CAD, garment-CAD, PLM, PDM, CAD data mining, CAD and the internet, CAD education, genetic algorithms and CAD engines. The journal is aimed at all developers and users of CAD technology to ptovide CAD solutions for various stages of design and manufacturing. The journal publishes all about Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided technologies.