Comparing the trueness of 3D printing and conventional casting for removable partial denture metal framework fabrication in different palatal vault depths

Abstract

The accuracy fit of the denture is one of the most important factors in the success of metal removable partial dentures. Conventional casting metal framework fabrication usually results in more distortion of frameworks in deep palatal vault patients. Recently, the development of 3D-printing technology has improved the accuracy of the metal frameworks. Thus, the objective of this research is to help dentists decide the most appropriate treatment process to construct the framework of the 3D-printing method, which is an acceptable procedure compared with the conventional method in two different palatal vault groups: moderate palate and deep palate. The results of the study found that the metal frameworks in the SLM group provide the best accuracy fit in the deep palate group. In the deep palate, the average result of SLM was 0.092 ±0.023 mm and was significantly different from the CON group and the PPC group. In medium palate, all the CON group, the PPC group, and the SLM group were not significantly different. The CON groups for metal framework fabrication had a significantly different gap when comparing the medium and deep palate groups. Therefore, it can be concluded that the depth of the palate affects the fit of the metal framework in the conventional casting process. However, the selective laser melting method can provide the best accuracy for the deep palate patient.