Manufacturing of Porous Biomaterials for Dental Implant Applications through Selective Laser Melting

Abstract

The paper discusses the possibility of manufacturing dental implants through Selective Laser Melting (SLM) of a Ti-6Al-4V alloy powder. Among all possible biomaterials, this alloy is widely used in biomedical applications due to high biocompatibility. Selective Laser Melting allows to obtain biomaterials with peculiar characteristics in terms of porosity gradient, roughness, customized geometry, and mechanical properties. Influence of input process parameters on porosity and analysis of Selective Laser Melting capabilities in implant dentistry have been focused. Porosity is a key parameter in dental implants as it affects stiffness, which is related to Young’s modulus. Ti-6Al-4V bulk material presents a Young’s modulus of 110 GPa, whereas the bone one ranges from 10 to 26 GPa. The relative difference of mechanical properties causes the phenomenon of stress shielding, which has a detrimental effect on the longevity of dental implants. Total porosity is important in reducing the effective modulus of porous metals. Biomaterials specimens obtained during experimental phase have been examined in terms of porosity (in inverse ratio to relative density), microstructure, microhardness and roughness. According to test results discussed in this paper, Selective Laser Melting is proved to be an efficient technology for the construction of Ti-6Al-4V dental implants, because biomaterials with adequate properties can be obtained changing processing parameters. Other fabrication techniques fail to produce biomaterials for dental implants with the desired features.

A Review of Metal Fabricated with Laser‐ and Powder‐Bed Based Additive Manufacturing Techniques: Process, Nomenclature, Materials, Achievable Properties, and its Utilization in the Medical Sector

“…[290] A recent investigation on CoCr stents came to the conclusion that the productivity of their fabrication is higher when fabricated via SLM as opposed to the conventional schemes, even though the surface finish has to be improved in a subsequent step. [22,264,297,298] One example for this is a recent study on a custom designed hip implant with distinct surface features to enhance the osseointegration. [292,293] Considering implants, where the key criterions are to have a compatible contact between the implant and the human body, the possibilities AM offers have been proven to be beneficial and lower the likelihood of implant rejections.…”

Cost models of additive manufacturing: A literature review

“…Lifecycle cost, sustainability, supply chain and production costs have been less focused on. General aspects of AM (Bikas et al, 2015;Bogers et al, 2016;Brans, 2013;Cardaropoli et al, 2012a;Ferro et al, 2016;Gao et al, 2015;Go & Hart, 2016;Hedrick et al, 2015;Kianian et al, 2016;Lindemann et al, 2015;Mellor et al, 2014;Muita et al, 2015;Nickels, 2016;Rayna & Striukova, 2016;Scholz et al, 2016;Winkless, 2015;Wits et al, 2016;Wong & Hernandez, 2012); industry (Brettel et al, 2016;Gaub, 2015;Fera & Macchiaroli, 2010;Stock & Seliger, 2016); implications of its use (Bogers et al, 2016;Huang et al;Newman et al, 2015;Rayna & Striukova, 2016); example of its application (Caiazzo et al, 2013;Cardaropoli et al, 2012b;Gupta et al, 2016;Huang et al;Uhlmann et al, 2015;Wits et al, 2016); flexibility (Brettel et al, 2016;Cox et al, 2016) and technology selection (Newman et al, 2015) allow us to contextualize AM in an actual production system. There are many papers on mechanical characteristics, microstructures and properties (Brugo et al, 2016;Hinojos et al, 2016;Huynh et al;List et al, 2014;<...>…”

Investigation and Optimization of Laser Welding of Ti-6Al-4 V Titanium Alloy Plates

“…TÍ-6A1-4 V is employed for turbine disks, compressor blades, airframe and space capsule structural components, rings for jet engines, pressure vessels, rocket engine cases, helicopter rotor hubs, fasteners, and engine exhausts. Medical and surgical devices are also produced with this alloy [3].…”