Accuracy of Mandibular Removable Partial Denture Frameworks Fabricated by 3D Printing and Conventional Techniques

Abstract

Herein, we used digital superimposition to evaluate the accuracy of metal frameworks for mandibular removable partial dentures fabricated using three techniques. Thirty master casts of a mandibular dentiform were categorized into three groups (n = 10) based on the framework manufacturing method: selective laser melting-based metal three-dimensional (3D) printing (SLM), digital light projection-based resin 3D printing and subsequent casting (RPC), and conventional casting (CON). The master casts were scanned twice, initially after preparation and subsequently after attaching silicone using the frameworks. These scan files were digitally superimposed to measure the silicone thickness. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS Statistics (Version 23.0, IBM Corp., Somers, NY, USA). One-way ANOVA and a post hoc Tukey's multiple comparison tests were performed to determine differences among the three groups (α = 0.05). The RPC group exhibited significantly higher overall and mean internal discrepancies at rest and tissue stops than the SLM and CON groups, which exhibited statistically insignificant differences. Thus, SLM fabrication resulted in comparable accuracy to that achieved by CON, whereas sequentially performing resin 3D printing and casting induced inferior accuracy. However, all frameworks across the three groups were clinically acceptable.