Accuracy of two 3D printing technologies in manufacturing of dental implant surgical guides (An in vitro study)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Lecturer of oral and maxillofacial radiology, faculty of dentistry, Misr international university

2 Lecturer of prosthodontics, faculty of dentistry, Cairo university

Abstract

The development of guided implant surgery helps to optimize the placement of dental implants. Planning softwares used
and then the guide manufactured using 3D printing with different technologies that may affect the manufactured guide .
Stereolithography and fused deposition modeling are presently the two primary 3D printing techniques. In order to produce
objects, both procedures add material layer by layer. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) creates items by extruding semi-liquid
plastic in a predetermined arrangement, while Stereolithography (SLA) employs a UV light source to cure resin selectively.
The aim of this study is to determine the accuracy of two 3D printing technologies in manufacturing dental implant surgical
guides. Eighteen dental stone models with twenty five missing teeth were CBCT scanned and planed for implant placement
using the same software then 3D printed using stereolithography (SLA) and fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing
technologies. The surgical guide tubes diameter was measured and compared to the planed tube diameter.
The results showed no statistically significant difference between the accuracy of the two 3D printing technologies with the
FDM showing lower accuracy.

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