Research progress on 3D printing in minimally invasive endodontics

Minimally invasive endodontics (MIE) can preserve dental tissue to a greater extent and improve the success rate of endodontics and has thus attracted increasing attention. 3D printing is a technology that is based on a digital model and uses powdered metal, plastic and other materials to construct objects by printing layer by layer. This article reviews the application of 3D printing technology in minimally invasive endodontics to provide a reference for the application of 3D printing technology in clinical minimally invasive endodontics in the future. In recent years, 3D printing technology has been widely used in various professional fields of stomatology, such as maxillofacial surgery, prosthodontics, and orthodontics. Using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and oral scanners to obtain accurate data on the internal and external structures of teeth combined with 3D printing to construct a tooth diagnostic model and pulp opening guide plate, we can accurately locate the position of the root canal and provide a new method for minimally invasive endodontics. At present, 3D printing technology is mainly used to guide the pulp opening pathway, assist in the minimally invasive treatment of malformed teeth and calcified root canals, and assist with apical surgery in the field of minimally invasive endodontics. However, its accuracy and clinical prognosis still need to be verified with a large number of clinical cases.