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Evaluation of the accuracy of orthodontic models prototyped with entry-level LCD-based 3D printers: a study using
Antonino Lo Giudice1, Vincenzo Ronsivalle1, Lorenzo Rustico2
1Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Unit of Orthodontics, University of Catania, Policlinico Universitario "Vittorio Emanuele, " Via Santa Sofia 78 95123, Catania, Italy.
Objectives:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of dental models prototyped via entry-level liquid crystal display (LCD) 3D printers.
Materials And Methods:
Identical prototyped models were generated from a master digital file testing two entry-level LCD-based 3D printers and using one professional-grade 3D printer as gold standard (GS), with 50-µm and 100-µm layer thickness. Each 3D-printed model was scanned, and a specific 3D technology was used to perform surface-based superimposition and deviation analysis to evaluate trueness and precision. The distances between surface points of two superimposed models were converted to root mean square (RMS) and statistically analyzed.
Results:
The RMS values detected were significantly higher in dental models prototyped with entry-level compared to the SLA printer (p < 0.001), in terms of trueness (50 µm: GS 0.075 mm, LCD1 0.192 mm, LCD2 0.179 mm; 100 µm: GS 0.066 mm, LCD1 0.209 mm, LCD2 0.199 mm) and precision (50 µm: GS 0.028 mm, LCD1 0.075 mm, LCD2 0.085 mm; 100 µm: GS 0.039 mm, LCD1 0.096 mm, LCD2 0.101 mm). No significant differences were found between the values of RMS of both entry-level 3D printers (p > 0.05). Layer thickness did not affect either the trueness or precision of the 3D-printed models (p > 0.05).
Conclusion:
Entry-level LCD-based 3D printers are not as accurate as professional-grade 3D printer, but still close to orthodontics clinical threshold values.
Clinical Relevance:
Clinicians should evaluate the intended application of 3D-printed orthodontic models before using entry-level 3D printers.
