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Accuracy of 6 Desktop 3D Printers in Dentistry: A Comparative In Vitro Study
F G Mangano1, O Admakin1, M Bonacina2
1Department of Prevention and Communal Dentistry, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119992 Moscow, Russia.
Purpose:
To compare the accuracy of 6 desktop 3D printers in dentistry.
Methods:
A parallelepiped (PP) with known geometry and holes of different diameters was designed and printed with 6 desktop 3D printers (Sheraprint 40®; Solflex 350®; Form 2®; MoonRay D75®; Vida HD®; XFAB 2000®). For each printer, 9 PPs were printed with proprietary materials; these PPs were not cured and underwent dimensional analysis by optical microscopy and precision probing. A file representative of a dentate model (DM) was also printed with the aforementioned printers. For each printer, 3 DMs were printed with the proprietary materials. These DMs were cured and after 1 month, scanned with a desktop scanner and superimposed on the virtual reference model, to investigate trueness.
Results:
Dimensional analysis by optical microscopy and precision probing highlighted the reliability of the 3D printed models; errors were compatible with clinical use. However, both linear and diameter measurements revealed statistically significant differences between the machines. The trueness of the DMs 1 month after printing was low, suggesting that they underwent dimensional contraction over time, albeit with differences between the printers.
Conclusions:
The 3D printed models showed acceptable accuracy, although statistically significant differences were found among them.
