Recent advances of additive manufacturing in implant fabrication - A review

The use of additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, has progressed beyond prototyping to produce intricate and valuable finished goods. The potential of additive manufacturing has increased across numerous industries due to the expansion of materials, such as high-performance metals and polymers, and advancements in machine capabilities, such as multi-material printing. By enabling complex designs, reduced waste, and quick production, it has the potential to revolutionize the consumer goods, healthcare, automotive manufacturing, and aerospace industries. The development of specialized scaffolds has been made possible by the precise control that additive manufacturing provides over the internal structure of porous materials. This technology has revolutionized tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Furthermore, it has made it possible to create individualized implants and prosthetics that improve patient comfort and outcomes in orthopedic and dental applications. Also, it provides flexibility in design and customization for individualized implants and prosthetics in orthopedic and dental applications. Design flexibility, waste reduction, improved biocompatibility, quick prototyping, and cost-effectiveness are benefits of additive manufacturing for implants. For personalized healthcare, regenerative medicine, and better patient outcomes, additive manufacturing holds promise as the technology develops with further advancements in printing speed, resolution, and scalability.