Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 25, 2025
07:11
Treatment of Facial Deformities using 3D Planning and Printing of Patient-Specific Implants
Published on: May 23, 2020
7.7K
Comparison between Additive and Subtractive CAD-CAM Technique to Produce Orthognathic Surgical Splints: A
Giuseppe Palazzo1, Vincenzo Ronsivalle1, Giacomo Oteri2
1Department of General Surgery and Surgical-Medical Specialties, School of Dentistry, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia 78, 95124 Catania, Italy.
Journal of Personalized Medicine
|December 16, 2020
Summary
Milled surgical splints demonstrate superior accuracy compared to 3D printed splints for orthognathic surgery planning. This study highlights milling technology
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Dental Technology
- Orthodontics
Background:
- Accurate surgical splints are crucial for successful orthognathic surgery.
- Digital planning and fabrication methods are increasingly used in orthodontics.
- Comparing subtractive (milling) and additive (3D printing) manufacturing for splints is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare the accuracy (trueness) of digitally designed surgical splints.
- To assess splints fabricated using milling technology versus 3D printing technology.
- To determine the preferred method for customized orthognathic surgical splint fabrication.
Main Methods:
- Digital splint design based on Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and dental models.
- Fabrication of splints using laser stereolithography (3D printing) and milling technologies.
- Deviation analysis comparing physical splints to original digital designs using scanners and software.
Main Results:
- Milled splints exhibited a lower mean deviation (RMS of 0.20 mm ± 0.018) from the original design.
- 3D printed splints showed a higher mean deviation (RMS of 0.31 ± 0.021).
- The difference in accuracy between milling and 3D printing was statistically significant (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Milling technology provides higher trueness for fabricating surgical orthognathic splints.
- 3D printing technology, while additive, resulted in lower accuracy in this study.
- Milling is recommended for superior precision in customized surgical splint production.
