title: Comparison of Conventional Methods and Laser-Assisted Rapid Prototyping for Manufacturing Fixed Dental Prostheses: An In Vitro Study.
abstract: This study assessed whether there are differences in marginal fit between laser-fusion and conventional techniques to produce fixed dental prostheses (FDPs). A master steel die with 2 abutments was produced to receive a posterior 4-unit FDPs and single copings. These experimental models were divided into three groups (n = 20/group) manufactured: group 1, Ni-Cr alloy, with a lost-wax casting technique; group 2, Co-Cr alloy, with selective laser melting (SLM); and group 3, yttria-tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP), with a milling system. All specimens were cut along the longitudinal axis and their adaptation was measured at the marginal and shoulder areas on the right and left sides of each abutment. Measurements were made using a stereomicroscope (×60 magnification) and a scanning electron microscope (×800 magnification). The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and the Bonferroni post hoc test, with a significance cutoff of 5%. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed between group 3 and the other groups. The marginal opening was smallest with Co-Cr alloy substructures, while the shoulder opening was smallest with Ni-Cr alloy substructures. Within the limitations of this study, the marginal fit of an FDP is better with rapid prototyping (RP) via SLM than conventional manufacturing systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pompa
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Di Carlo
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Angelis
authors.affiliation: Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Paola
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Cristalli
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Annibali
mesh_terms: D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D000044:Dental Abutments; D017267:Dental Prosthesis Design / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000379:methods*; D007834:Lasers; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional