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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
Accuracy in Dental Medicine, A New Way to Measure Trueness and Precision
Published on: April 29, 2014
Trueness and precision of resin models produced by different vat-photopolymerization 3D printing technologies for
Gonca Ozer1, Muhammet Caglar Bursa1, Ali Murat Kokat1
1Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul Aydın University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Objectives:
The dimensional accuracy of resin models fabricated using different vat-photopolymerization technologies remains uncertain because of differences in manufacturing principles. This study compared the trueness and precision of full-arch implant-supported resin models produced using digital light processing (DLP), masked stereolithography (MSLA), and liquid crystal display (LCD) systems.
Methods:
A reference full-arch implant model was digitized using an industrial optical scanner and reproduced with three vat-photopolymerization 3D printing technologies (n = 45). Experimental datasets were superimposed onto the reference STL file using metrology software. Surface deviations were quantified using root mean square (RMS) values and color maps. Inter-implant linear (DIM) and angular deviations (ADEV, ANG) were also evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc tests (α = 0.05).
Results:
Significant differences were observed among the groups. The LCD system showed the lowest RMS deviations, indicating superior surface trueness. The MSLA system demonstrated lower linear and angular discrepancies, indicating higher positional precision. In contrast, the DLP system exhibited higher angular deviations at several implant sites. Color deviation analysis revealed greater discrepancies in the posterior and palatal regions in the DLP group, whereas the LCD group showed more homogeneous surface characteristics.
Conclusions:
Within the limitations of this in vitro study, LCD technology demonstrated the highest surface trueness, whereas MSLA technology provided superior implant positional accuracy and precision. No single technology was superior across all parameters, suggesting that technology selection should depend on whether surface trueness or implant positional accuracy is prioritized.
Clinical Significance:
Technology selection among vat-photopolymerization systems should consider potential effects on the passive fit of implant-supported restorations and prioritize specific clinical accuracy requirements.
