Mechanical properties of cobalt-chromium 3-unit fixed dental prostheses fabricated by casting, milling, and additive manufacturing

New additive manufacturing techniques for nonprecious alloys have made the fabrication of metal-ceramic fixed partial dentures (FPDs) less expensive and less time-consuming. However, whether the mechanical properties produced by these techniques are comparable is unclear.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the mechanical properties of cobalt-chromium frameworks for FPDs fabricated by 3 different techniques.

Thirty frameworks for 3-unit FPDs were fabricated by traditional casting, computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) milling, and selective laser melting (SLM), with n=10 in each group. The frameworks were weighed, and distal and mesial connector areas measured. The frameworks were cemented and loaded centrally (0.5 mm/s) until deformation above 1 mm occurred. Stiffness was measured as the slope of the axis between 500 and 2000 N. Microhardness was measured on sectioned specimens by Vickers indentation. The microstructure was also analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. One-way ANOVA with Tukey post hoc analysis was used to compare the groups (α=.05).

The framework design differed among the groups, making a comparison of strength impossible. The milled frameworks appeared bulky, while the cast and SLM frameworks were more slender. Statistically significant differences were found in microhardness, stiffness, wall thickness, weight, and connector size (P<.05), and a significant correlation was found between hardness and stiffness (-0.4, P<.005).

Fabrication method affects the design, stiffness, microhardness, and microstructure of cobalt-chromium FPD frameworks. The SLM frameworks were stiffer and harder than the cast and milled specimens.