The Accuracy of 3D-Printed Fixed Dental Restorations.

Objective: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the accuracy of resin-based fixed dental restorations, namely veneers, single crowns, and four-unit fixed partial dental prosthesis (FPDs), using two different 3D printing technologies and polymer-based materials.

Materials and methods: A standard maxillary polyurethane jaw model containing prepared teeth was scanned using an intraoral scanner. The generated STL data were used to design the restorations virtually using CAD software. Two 3D printers were utilized for the provisional digital light processing and stereolithography for the castable resin patterns. Each printer produced 10 specimens of each type of restoration, for a total of 80 restorations. The 3D-printed restorations were then 3D scanned using the same intraoral scanner and evaluated for external and internal dimensional accuracy in terms of trueness and precision. A one-way ANOVA and two-sample T-test were implemented to compute the precision (variability between groups) and trueness (with the designed CAD model). A level of statistical significance of p-value < 0.05 was set.

Results: Statistical differences in the external dimensional analysis of the incisors, molars, and four-unit FPD with p-values < 0.001, 0.002, and 0.004, respectively. For the internal dimensional analysis, the overall mean values of trueness ranged between 17 and 52 μm, and the variability was significant.

Conclusion: The external and internal dimensional accuracy values of the 3D-printed fixed dental restorations in this in vitro study in terms of trueness can be clinically accepted after chairside modifications. However, significant variability between the 3D-printed restorations was observed. Further investigations are needed to improve the accuracy of the 3D-printed fixed dental restorations.

Clinical significance: In terms of clinical applications, 3D-printed fixed dental restorations produced by both 3D-printing technologies and polymer-based materials achieved acceptable levels of trueness, although some variability was observed. Significant deviations from the CAD model may require further chairside adjustments. Future integration of AI with 3D-printing may further improve the accuracy and efficiency of fixed dental restoration production.