Additive manufacturing or 3D printing requires the use of specialized technology to create solids by injecting materials into preplanned, precise points in space. This is done with computer software that controls a 3D printing machine. To print a customized object, such as a dental implant, a certain file type must be used. This is called an Additive Manufacturing File and the format is considered the standard for describing an object for the additive manufacturing process. The data format for this type of file has been proposed by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) and will communicate to the 3D printer the shape, size, color, texture, materials, and composition of the object to be created. Although this file is considered standard for all types of additive manufacturing or 3D printing, it is used frequently in the dental implant industry to create customized implants for patients with unique needs.