Purpose: of this paper is to investigate the accuracy of Co-Cr dental bridges, manufactured
using 3D printed cast patterns.
Design/methodology/approach: Four-unit dental bridges are fabricated from the
alloys i-Alloy and Biosil-f by lost-wax process. The polymeric cast patterns are 3D printed
with different layer’s thickness (13 μm, 35 μm and 50 μm). Two 3D printers are used:
stereolithographic “Rapidshape D30” and ink-jet “Solidscape 66+”. The geometrical and
fitting accuracy as well as the surface roughness are investigated.
Findings: It is established that Co-Cr bridges, casted from 3D printed patterns with 50 μm
layer thickness, characterize with the largest dimensions – 3.30%-9.14% larger than those
of the base model. Decreasing the layer thickness leads to dimensional reduction. The
dimensions of the bridges, casted on patterns with 13 μm layer thickness, are 0.17%-2.86%
smaller compared to the primary model. The average roughness deviation Ra of the surface
of Co-Cr bridges, manufactured using 3D printed patterns, is 3-4 times higher in comparison
to the bridge-base model. The greater the layer thickness of the patterns, the higher Ra of
the bridges. The silicone replica test shows 0.1-0.2 mm irregular gap between the bridge
retainers and abutments of the cast patterns and Co-Cr bridges.
Research limitations/implications: Highly precise prosthetic constructions, casted
from 3D printed patterns, can be produced only if the specific features of the 3D printed
objects are taken in consideration.
Practical implications: Present research has shown that the lower the thickness of the
printed layer of cast patterns, the higher the dimensional accuracy and the lower the surface
roughness.
Originality/value: The findings in this study will help specialist in dental clinics and laboratories
to choose the right equipment and optimal technological regimes for production of cast patterns
with high accuracy and low surface roughness for casting of precise dental constructions.
Purpose: of the present paper is to offer treatment protocol with fixed partial dentures,
produced by selective laser melting, including clinical and laboratory parts.
Design/methodology/approach: The treatment protocols with selective laser melted
fixed partial dentures was developed on the basis of literature survey and our previous
research about accuracy and mechanical properties of dental bridges, manufactured by
additive technologies.
Findings: The treatment protocol with fixed partial dentures, produced by selective laser
melting, consisting of clinical and laboratory parts, was developed. The treatment procedures
with FPD made by SLM were classified as semi-digital when working with extraoral scanner
and fully-digital – with intraoral scanner.
Research limitations/implications: The introduction of the proposed treatment protocol
into the clinical and laboratory practice would lead to a systematic approach and working
optimization for prosthodontists and dental technicians when using selective laser melting.
Practical implications: Due to the elimination of multiple manual manipulations and
technological operations, treatment protocols with FPD, produced by SLM, ensure higher
accuracy and quality of the constructions and shorter time for their manufacturing compared
to the conventional procedure.
Originality/value: The developed clinical and laboratory protocols for the treatment and
manufacturing of FPD through SLM clearly show the benefits of the new technology in
dentistry and dental technician field.
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