Assessment of the fitness of removable partial denture frameworks manufactured using additive manufacturing/selective laser melting

Abstract

The study compared the fitness accuracy of digitally produced removable partial denture frameworks using 3D printing selective laser melting technology. Three groups were fabricated; the first group where the frameworks were produced digitally through digital designing and then the frameworks were printed by selective laser melting additive manufacturing (3DP-G1). The second frameworks groups were produced by the lost wax/casting method (C-G2) and the third group was produced by scanning wax-up of the framework and then printed as in the first group (SP-G3). A total of 6 frameworks were produced from each group. Micro-CT images were used to investigate spaces under the frameworks seated on the master casts at five specified locations. Finally, spaces at the same locations were measured by using light-body polyvinyl siloxane impression materials. There was no significant difference among the spaces calculated underneath the 18 frameworks for the three various groups at a significance level of (α = .05) either at the CT-scan images or by using the silicone registration materials. Removable partial denture frameworks that were produced by 3D printing technology using selective laser melting additive manufacturing have a high level of fitness accuracy comparable to the ones produced by the lost wax/casting method.