Additive manufacturing of glass-ceramic dental restorations by layerwise slurry deposition (LSD-print)

Abstract

This study is dedicated to the additive manufacturing of a feldspar glass-ceramic for dental applications by LSD-print (layerwise slurry deposition) technology, a variation of binder jetting using water-based ceramic slurries as feedstock. This technology was investigated for the manufacturing of single tooth restoration demonstrators with good aesthetic properties, and to compare the additively manufactured material with a commercial reference. Model restorations with > 99 % relative density were processed with a debinding and firing cycle of 45 min, however the whole process chain accounts for up to 30 hours. Significant differences between LSD-printed and reference materials were found for fracture strength, fracture toughness and Martens parameters. Printing orientation affected shrinkage and fracture strength, but not fracture toughness and Martens parameters. Nevertheless, the results suggest that the LSD-print technology processing the developed slurry is a promising option for manufacturing dental restorations meeting class 1a requirements according to DIN EN ISO 6871:2019–01.