Evaluation of marginal and internal gaps of Ni-Cr and Co-Cr alloy copings manufactured by microstereolithography

Evaluating the Marginal and Internal Discrepancy of Nickel-Chrome Copings Made on Fixed Partial Denture Implants with Conventional and 3D Printing Techniques

AIM

This study aimed to evaluate the marginal and internal discrepancy of nickel-chrome (Ni-Cr) copings made on implant bridges with conventional and 3D printing techniques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

30 three-unit Ni-Cr FDPs (60 copings) were made by 3D-printing technique (PolyJet group), lost-wax method with die spacer technique (die spacer group), and lost-wax method with burn-out the cap (burn-out cap group). Then, the frames obtained from the three methods were checked to examine the marginal discrepancy by stereomicroscope after preparation and polishing. The silicon replica method was used to investigate the internal discrepancy at 6 points (buccal portion of occlusal surface, lingual portion of occlusal surface, middle area of the axial surface in the lingual, middle area of the axial surface in the buccal, cervico-buccal area, and cervico-lingual area). Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was performed first to estimate the normality of data distribution. A one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey test were done for comparing marginal and internal discrepancies between groups. The significant level was considered p < 0.05.

RESULTS

The mean ± standard deviation of marginal discrepancy in the PolyJet group, die spacer group, and burn-out cap group was 37.9 ± 15, 68.8 ± 31.8 and 42.7 ± 3.6 µm for buccal margins and 40.4 ± 12.3, 64 ± 21.7, and 42.4 ± 2.1 µm for lingual margins, respectively. The means of buccal and lingual marginal discrepancy in the burn-out cap group and PolyJet group were significantly lower than the die spacer group (p < 0.001). Marginal discrepancy was not statistically different between the burn-out cap group and the PolyJet group. The mean ± standard deviation of overall internal discrepancy in the PolyJet group, die spacer group, and burn-out cap group was 64.6 ± 3.7, 72 ± 22.2, and 58.7 ± 2 µm, respectively. There was a significant difference between the mean of internal discrepancy between three groups (p = 0.001). The mean of internal discrepancy of the burn-out cap group was significantly lower than the die spacer group (p = 0.001) and PolyJet group (p = 0.005). Internal discrepancy was not significantly different between the PolyJet group and the die spacer group (p = 0.168).

CONCLUSION

The marginal and internal gap rates of the three groups were within clinically acceptable limits. The 3D printing technique and lost-wax method with burn-out the cap had the lowest buccal and lingual marginal discrepancies. The burn-out cap method had better fitness and less internal discrepancy than 3D printing and die spacer groups.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Lower marginal discrepancy of copings fabricated by using 3D printed patterns may improve clinical success of implant restoration. How to cite this article: Ziaei M, Bajoghli F, Sabouhi M, et al. Evaluating the Marginal and Internal Discrepancy of Nickel-Chrome Copings Made on Fixed Partial Denture Implants with Conventional and 3D Printing Techniques. J Contemp Dent Pract 2023;24(11):826-833.

Dental Materials Applied to 3D and 4D Printing Technologies: A Review

As computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technologies have matured, three-dimensional (3D) printing materials suitable for dentistry have attracted considerable research interest, owing to their high efficiency and low cost for clinical treatment. Three-dimensional printing technology, also known as additive manufacturing, has developed rapidly over the last forty years, with gradual application in various fields from industry to dental sciences. Four-dimensional (4D) printing, defined as the fabrication of complex spontaneous structures that change over time in response to external stimuli in expected ways, includes the increasingly popular bioprinting. Existing 3D printing materials have varied characteristics and scopes of application; therefore, categorization is required. This review aims to classify, summarize, and discuss dental materials for 3D printing and 4D printing from a clinical perspective. Based on these, this review describes four major materials, i.e., polymers, metals, ceramics, and biomaterials. The manufacturing process of 3D printing and 4D printing materials, their characteristics, applicable printing technologies, and clinical application scope are described in detail. Furthermore, the development of composite materials for 3D printing is the main focus of future research, as combining multiple materials can improve the materials' properties. Updates in material sciences play important roles in dentistry; hence, the emergence of newer materials are expected to promote further innovations in dentistry.

Effect of full arch two scanning techniques on the accuracy of overdenture conventional and CAD/CAM Co-Cr bars

This work evaluates the internal and marginal adaptation of implant-assisted overdenture cobalt–chromium (Co–Cr) bars manufactured using conventional as well as CAD/CAM subtractive and selective laser melting (SLM) utilizing two scanning techniques. Methods: An edentulous study model containing four dental implants placed at teeth sites 36, 33, 43, and 46 was used. The study cast was scanned and compared to the virtual casts developed from two scanning techniques, straight and zigzag motion, using the in silico superimposition process. Then, conventional techniques were used to produce full-arch bars that were compared to the bars fabricated using the two scanning techniques and CAD/CAM subtractive and additive techniques. Results: The conventional impression and casting techniques had the smallest marginal gap among the groups (P-value < 0.05). The CAD/CAM subtractive milling techniques in groups II and III had significantly smaller marginal gaps than SLM technique used in groups IV and V (P-value < 0.05). The analysis of the internal gap within each group showed statistically significant differences between different implant sites in all groups (P-value < 0.001), except when using the conventional impression and casting techniques in group I (P-value = 0.20). Conclusion: The conventional impression and fabrication techniques were better than the digital impression and CAD/CAM subtractive and additive techniques for the fabrication of full-arch bars. However, both straight and zigzag scanning techniques and the CAD/CAM subtractive technique had marginal and internal gaps that were within clinically accepted ranges, and the SLM was found to be unsuitable for long-span framework fabrication with either scanning technique used.

Evaluation of fits of metal copings fabricated by using selective laser melting at various angles

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Information on the fabrication of metal by selective laser melting (SLM) systems positioned at different angles is sparse.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the extent of marginal and internal gaps in metal copings fabricated at different angles by using an SLM fabrication system.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A master metal model was produced and replicated (N=10) with silicone impressions and dental stone. Standard tessellation language (STL) files of the 10 coping designs were then obtained by using a model scanner and a 3D design software program on a scannable working die. Co-Cr alloy metal copings were fabricated by the SLM fabrication system at 45, 90, and 180 degrees. The marginal and internal gaps were measured by the silicone replica technique. The measured data were analyzed by using the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis H test (α=.05).

RESULTS

The specimens fabricated at 180 degrees showed the best fit in terms of the marginal gap, while the worst fit was observed in the specimens fabricated at 90 degrees. Statistically significant differences were seen among the marginal gaps produced in the 3 groups (P<.001). In terms of internal fit, the axial wall gap showed the best fit, and the occlusal gap the worst. The best fit overall was 66 μm at the axial wall of the 180-degree group, and the worst in the 90-degree group, at 663 μm. Statistically significant differences were observed between the chamfers, axial walls, and the occlusal gaps of the 3 groups (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Restorations fabricated by using an SLM system at 180 degrees were clinically acceptable. However, more research is required to investigate the performance of metal copings produced at 45 and 90 degrees to evaluate their clinical acceptability.

A systematic review on the accuracy of manufacturing techniques for cobalt chromium fixed dental prostheses

Purpose

To compare the fit and assess the accuracy of tooth-supported single and multi-unit FDPs in cobalt chromium fabricated using different manufacturing techniques.

Materials and methods

A systematic search was performed in three databases; PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, using clearly specified search terms and inclusion criteria. The search yielded 1071 articles and included 18 articles in the analysis. Data regarding the fit analyses and the methods of manufacturing were extracted and the accuracy was defined as the fit result minus the pre-set cement spacer. Internal gap (IntG) was the mean of all the internal measuring points and total gap (TotG) was the mean of all measuring points (marginal, cervical, chamfer, axial, occlusal).

Results

The total gap results for fit and accuracy irrespective of manufacturing technique were 96 μm and 54 μm for single crowns, 107 μm and 54 μm for multi-unit FDPs, and 98 μm and 54 μm for both single crowns and multi-unit FDPs combined. For total gap of single crowns soft milling had the highest accuracy, for multi-unit FDPs additive manufactured restorations had the highest accuracy. With the results grouped by impression technique, the accuracy for total gap was highest for digital impressions and lower for conventional impressions.

Conclusions

Due to the inherent limitations of this systematic review, it still remains unclear what effect the manufacturing technique has on the fit of FDPs. However, the descriptive results suggest that the marginal fit of cobalt chromium FDPs is not negatively affected by the manufacturing technique.