Dimensional error of selective laser sintering, three-dimensional printing and PolyJet models in the reproduction of mandibular anatomy.
BACKGROUND
Selective laser sintering (SLS), three-dimensional printing (3DP) and PolyJet are rapid prototyping (RP) techniques to fabricate prototypes from virtual biomedical images. To be used in maxillofacial surgery, these models must accurately reproduce the craniofacial skeleton.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the capacity of SLS, 3DP and PolyJet models to reproduce mandibular anatomy and their dimensional error.


METHODS
Dry mandible, helical CT images, SLS, 3DP and PolyJet prototypes, and digital electronic caliper.


METHODS
Helical CT images were acquired from a dry mandible (criterion standard) and manipulated with the InVesalius software. Prototypes were produced using SLS, 3DP and PolyJet techniques. Thirteen linear measurements of each prototype were made and compared with the dry mandible measurements.


RESULTS
The results showed a dimensional error of 1.79%, 3.14% and 2.14% for SLS, 3DP and PolyJet models, respectively. The models satisfactorily reproduced anatomic details and the SLS and PolyJet prototypes showed greater dimensional precision and reproduced mandibular anatomy more accurately than the 3DP model.


CONCLUSIONS
The SLS prototype had a greater dimensional accuracy than the PolyJet and 3DP models. The PolyJet technique reproduced anatomic details of the mandible more accurately.
Ibrahim
Danilo
D
School of Dentistry, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Broilo
Tiago Leonardo
TL
Heitz
Claiton
C
de Oliveira
Marília Gerhardt
MG
de Oliveira
Helena Willhelm
HW
Nobre
Stella Maris Wanderlei
SM
Dos Santos Filho
José Henrique Gomes
JH
Silva
Daniela Nascimento
DN
D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D007834:Lasers; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011474:Prosthesis Design / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed