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Published on: December 20, 2024
Retention of cobalt-chromium powder bed fusion (selective laser melting) removable partial dentures: An in vitro
Sara Zaky1,2, Hala Mohamed3, Mohamed Abdel-Latif3
1Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.
Purpose:
Cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) removable partial denture (RPD) frameworks are traditionally fabricated using conventional casting techniques. Recent advances in additive manufacturing employ laser-sintering processes, such as selective laser melting (SLM), to produce RPD frameworks, potentially enhancing prosthesis quality. This study compared the retention of Co-Cr RPD frameworks fabricated via two methods: conventional casting from 3D-printed resin patterns and direct SLM production.
Materials And Methods:
Twelve Co-Cr RPD frameworks were fabricated and divided equally into two groups. Group 1 consisted of frameworks cast from 3D-printed resin patterns; Group 2 comprised SLM-fabricated frameworks. Retention forces were measured using a universal testing machine before and after simulated chewing cycles.
Results:
SLM-fabricated frameworks showed marginally higher retention forces than their 3D-cast counterparts. However, following chewing simulation, the difference in retention between the two groups was not statistically significant.
Conclusion:
Both SLM-fabricated and conventionally 3D-cast Co-Cr RPD frameworks exhibited satisfactory retentive performance. Consequently, SLM can be considered a viable alternative manufacturing modality for Co-Cr RPD frameworks, offering comparable functional retention to that of traditionally cast counterparts.
