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Accuracy of Dental Restorations Fabricated Using Milling vs 3D-Printed Molds: A Pilot Study
The International Journal of Prosthodontics
|March 18, 2024
Summary
3D-printed molds offer superior accuracy for dental restorations compared to milling, with significantly smaller marginal and internal gaps. This suggests a promising alternative for fabricating precise dental prosthetics.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Dental Technology
- Digital Dentistry
Background:
- Advancements in digital dentistry have introduced novel fabrication techniques for dental restorations.
- Computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) methods, including milling and 3D printing, are increasingly utilized.
- Evaluating the accuracy of these techniques is crucial for clinical success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the marginal and internal accuracy of dental restorations fabricated using milling versus robotically controlled casting with 3D-printed molds.
- To assess the precision of different CAD/CAM techniques in producing inlays, onlays, and crowns.
Main Methods:
- Twelve dental restorations (11 inlays/onlays, 1 crown) were fabricated for 12 different tooth models using two CAD/CAM techniques: milling and robotically controlled casting with 3D-printed molds.
- Marginal and internal gaps were meticulously evaluated at 120 points per restoration using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) 3D imaging.
- Internal gap analysis was further refined using a replica technique with silicone.
Main Results:
- Restorations fabricated with 3D-printed molds exhibited significantly smaller median marginal gaps (44.3 μm) compared to milled restorations (58.4 μm).
- Internal gaps were also notably reduced in the 3D-printed mold group, ranging from 6% to 51% smaller than those in the milled group.
- Specific median values for middle and central internal gaps were lower for 3D-printed molds (95.4 μm and 104.6 μm) versus milled restorations (145.9 μm and 138.6 μm).
Conclusions:
- The accuracy of dental restorations fabricated with 3D-printed molds appears to be preferable to milled restorations, particularly for inlays and onlays.
- The study suggests that 3D-printed molds may offer enhanced precision in dental restoration fabrication.
- Further research with larger sample sizes and diverse restoration types is recommended to validate these findings, especially concerning crown restorations.
