Int J Stomatol

Int J Stomatol ›› 2026, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (5): 683-688.doi: 10.7518/gjkq.2026636

• Digital Oral Medicine Column • Previous Articles    

Research progress of directing three-dimensional printing technology in dental clear aligners

Sijia Zhang1,2(),Xiaolin Lu2,Xiujuan Zhu1()   

  1. 1.Dept. of Clinical Medicine, Shanghai Smartee Denti-Technology, Shanghai 201200, China
    2.State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 211102, China
  • Received:2025-11-21 Revised:2026-07-08 Online:2026-09-01 Published:2026-08-28
  • Contact: Xiujuan Zhu E-mail:zsjj1307@163.com;zhuxiujuan@smartee.cn
  • Supported by:
    Jiaxing Nanhu District Science and Technology Plan Project(SQ2025000034)

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Abstract:

Three-dimensional (3D) printing, an efficient and advanced additive manufacturing technology, enables the direct fabrication of clear aligners. This approach successfully addresses the limitations of conventional thermocompression methodologies, including the compromising of material properties, extensive production cycles, and substantial material wastage. Direct 3D printing clear aligners can achieve high-precision, rapid manufacturing while delivering gentle and sustained orthodontic forces. In this review, common 3D printing technologies in the field of oral healthcare are introduced; resin materials used for direct 3D printing of clear aligners are examined; and research progresses in terms of ma-nufacturing precision, mechanical performance, physical and chemical properties, and biocompatibility are explored. With the development and innovation of high-performance resins and 3D printing processing technology, 3D printing is expec-ted to provide simplified, efficient, and personalized treatment services to orthodontic patients, thereby introducing new opportunities and advancements to the field of oral medical engineering.

Key words: three-dimensional printing, clear aligners, orthodontic, printing process, mechanical property, biocompatibility

CLC Number: 

  • R783.5

TrendMD: 

Tab 1

Advantage and disadvantage of 3D printing technology in the field of printing clear aligners"

3D打印技术优点缺点适用场景参考文献
SLA成型精度高，表面粗糙度低，材料透明性好设备及树脂成本高，固化收缩率较高，厚件打印时间长工业级量产（规模化），ActiveMemoryTM形状记忆材料［5-6］
DLP逐层固化，打印效率高；精度高，表面质量优良，支持多种医用级树脂树脂强度、刚度有限，支撑结构复杂，受限于成型尺寸，单次打印数量有限桌面级批量生产精细件（个性化）［8-9］
FDM设备成本低，操作简单，打印材料丰富，可回收性好精度低，层间结合力弱，表面粗糙度高，透明性差，成型强度差功能改性热塑性树脂［10］
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