title: Direct metal laser sintering titanium dental implants: a review of the current literature.
abstract: Statement of Problem. Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) is a technology that allows fabrication of complex-shaped objects from powder-based materials, according to a three-dimensional (3D) computer model. With DMLS, it is possible to fabricate titanium dental implants with an inherently porous surface, a key property required of implantation devices. Objective. The aim of this review was to evaluate the evidence for the reliability of DMLS titanium dental implants and their clinical and histologic/histomorphometric outcomes, as well as their mechanical properties. Materials and Methods. Electronic database searches were performed. Inclusion criteria were clinical and radiographic studies, histologic/histomorphometric studies in humans and animals, mechanical evaluations, and in vitro cell culture studies on DMLS titanium implants. Meta-analysis could be performed only for randomized controlled trials (RCTs); to evaluate the methodological quality of observational human studies, the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS) was used. Results. Twenty-seven studies were included in this review. No RCTs were found, and meta-analysis could not be performed. The outcomes of observational human studies were assessed using the NOS: these studies showed medium methodological quality. Conclusions. Several studies have demonstrated the potential for the use of DMLS titanium implants. However, further studies that demonstrate the benefits of DMLS implants over conventional implants are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Morphological Science, Dental School, University of Varese, Via Giuseppe Piatti 10, 21100 Varese, Italy ; ITEB Research Center, Dental School, University of Varese, Via Giuseppe Piatti 10, 21100 Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mangano
authors.affiliation: Dental Research Division, Department of Periodontology, Guarulhos University, Praca Teresa Cristina 229, 07023070 Guarulhos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chambrone
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Restorative Dentistry, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, 19 Claremont Crescent, Sheffield S10 2TA, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Noort
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine and Surgery, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, 19 Claremont Crescent, Sheffield S10 2TA, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Restorative Dentistry, School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, 19 Claremont Crescent, Sheffield S10 2TA, UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hatton
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Morphological Science, Dental School, University of Varese, Via Giuseppe Piatti 10, 21100 Varese, Italy ; ITEB Research Center, Dental School, University of Varese, Via Giuseppe Piatti 10, 21100 Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mangano