---
title: "What Is 3D printing in dentistry? Dental Practice Glossary"
description: "3D printing in dentistry means building models, surgical guides, appliances and some restorations layer by layer from a digital file."
url: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/3d-printing-in-dentistry
publisher: Copeland Consulting Services
email: drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com
contact: https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact
---

Technology and implants

# 3D printing in dentistry

3D printing in dentistry means building models, surgical guides, appliances and some restorations layer by layer from a digital file.

The FDA says 3D printing is a process that creates a three-dimensional object by building successive layers of raw material. The agency also says that medical devices made this way include dental restorations such as crowns.

In dental offices and labs, printers make study models, surgical guides, aligner molds, night guards and provisional crowns. The design usually starts from an [intraoral scanner](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/intraoral-scanner) or [CBCT](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/cbct) file.

Printers are different from mills used in [CAD/CAM](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/cad-cam), which cut shapes from a block. Resins and printers differ, and some materials are cleared for certain uses only. Check the maker's instructions for each product.

[Next stepIndustry work with Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact?topic=industry)

## Related terms

-   [CAD/CAM](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/cad-cam)
-   [Digital workflow](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/digital-workflow)
-   [Intraoral scanner](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/intraoral-scanner)
-   [Guided implant surgery](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/glossary/guided-implant-surgery)

## Sources

1.  [FDA: 3D Printing of Medical Devices](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/products-and-medical-procedures/3d-printing-medical-devices)
2.  [FDA: 3D Printing of Medical Devices](https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/products-and-medical-procedures/3d-printing-medical-devices)

## Talk with Dr. Copeland

[Contact Dr. Copeland](https://joncopeland.multisites.ai/contact)[Email](mailto:drcopeland@joncopelanddds.com)