title: Selective Laser Melting Technique of Co-Cr Dental Alloys: A Review of Structure and Properties and Comparative Analysis with Other Available Techniques.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to review the effect of selective laser melting (SLM) procedure on the properties of dental structures made of Co-Cr alloys and to evaluate its quality and compare it to those produced by conventional casting and milling fabrication techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  A computerized database search using PubMed and Scopus was conducted for peer-reviewed scientific research studies regarding the use of SLM in Co-Cr dental alloys with no restrictions for publication years. The search engines provided hundreds of results, and only 48 scientific research papers, case studies, or literature reviews were considered relevant for this review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The innovative manufacturing concept of SLM offers many advantages compared with casting and milling fabrication techniques. SLM provides different microstructure from casting and milling with minimal internal porosity and internal fitting, marginal adaptation, and comparable bond strength to porcelain. Mechanical and electrochemical properties of SLM structures are enhanced compared to cast, while clinical longevity of single-metal ceramic crowns is comparable to Au-Pt dental alloy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The SLM technique provides dental prosthetic restorations more quickly and less expensively without compromising their quality compared with restorations prepared by casting and milling techniques.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current SLM devices provide metallic restorations made of Co-Cr alloys for removable and fixed partial dentures without compromising the alloy or restoration properties at a fraction of the time and cost, showing great potential to replace the aforementioned fabrication techniques in the long term; however, further clinical studies are essential to increase the acceptance of this technology by the worldwide dental community.
authors.affiliation: Dental Biomaterials Research and Development Chair, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Theodoros
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koutsoukis
authors.affiliation: Dental Biomaterials Research and Development Chair, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.|Department of Biomaterials, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Spiros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zinelis
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomaterials, School of Dentistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Eliades
authors.affiliation: Dental Biomaterials Research and Development Chair, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.|Department of Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Khalid
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Al-Wazzan
authors.affiliation: Dental Biomaterials Research and Development Chair, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.|Department of Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Mohammed Al
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rifaiy
authors.affiliation: Dental Biomaterials Research and Development Chair, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.|Department of Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Youssef S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Al Jabbari
mesh_terms: D002858:Chromium Alloys; D003722:Dental Alloys; D003735:Dental Casting Technique; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D016876:Metal Ceramic Alloys; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D002858:Chromium Alloys; D003722:Dental Alloys; D016876:Metal Ceramic Alloys; D003776:Dental Porcelain
keywords: CAD/CAM; Co-Cr dental alloys; SLM; casting