Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 28, 2025
06:12
Plasma Polishing as a New Polishing Option to Reduce the Surface Roughness of Porous Titanium Alloy for 3D Printing
Published on: April 28, 2023
2.0K
[Pure titanium denture large-span frameworks additively manufactured with selective laser melting]
Summary
Selective laser melting (SLM) additive manufacturing of pure titanium frameworks demonstrated superior accuracy and fit compared to cobalt-chromium alloy for dental prostheses. Heat treatment further improved the precision of these pure titanium frameworks for clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Additive Manufacturing
- Prosthodontics
Background:
- Additive manufacturing (AM), specifically selective laser melting (SLM), offers potential for fabricating dental prostheses.
- Evaluating the accuracy of SLM-fabricated frameworks from pure titanium and cobalt-chromium alloy is crucial for clinical success.
- Understanding the impact of heat treatment on framework accuracy is essential for optimizing fabrication processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the trueness and fitness of pure titanium and cobalt-chromium alloy frameworks made by SLM.
- To compare the accuracy of frameworks for implant-supported fixed prostheses and removable partial dentures (RPDs).
- To provide a clinical reference for the application of SLM pure titanium frameworks.
Main Methods:
- Digital models of an edentulous mandibular arch and a Kennedy class I maxillary defect were created.
- Mandibular (n=12) and maxillary (n=7) frameworks were fabricated using SLM from pure titanium and cobalt-chromium alloy.
- Framework accuracy was evaluated by measuring deviations from digital design models, with some groups undergoing heat treatment.
Main Results:
- Pure titanium frameworks exhibited better trueness than cobalt-chromium alloy frameworks on X, Y, and Z axes.
- Heat treatment significantly reduced discrepancies between SLM frameworks and digital models for both materials.
- Pure titanium RPD major frameworks showed statistically significant better fitness than cobalt-chromium alloy frameworks.
Conclusions:
- SLM-fabricated pure titanium frameworks demonstrate superior fitness and trueness compared to cobalt-chromium alloy frameworks, especially after heat treatment.
- The accuracy of SLM pure titanium frameworks meets the requirements for implant-supported fixed prostheses and RPD major metal frameworks.
- SLM technology with pure titanium is a viable option for fabricating accurate and well-fitting dental prostheses.
