3D Printed Complete Dentures - Current Status and Clinical Performance

Authors

  • Mohamed Hussein Abdelnabi Professor, Oral and Maxillofacial Prosthodontic Department, Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia / Removable Prosthodontic Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Minia University, Egypt.
  • Amal Ali Swelem Professor, Prosthodontic Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Cairo University, Egypt.

Keywords:

Additive manufacturing, 3D printing, Rapid prototyping, CAD/CAM, Complete dentures

Abstract

Applications of additive Computer-aided design and Computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technology are exponentially expanding to include multiple fields in prosthodontics. 3D printing of complete dentures is developing at such a rapid pace, that this technology might be in the near future an approved integral part of the rehabilitation of complete edentulism. The objective of this study is to cast light on additive CAD/CAM technology in complete denture prosthodontics. Findings of in-vitro investigations, in addition to clinical- and patient- centered studies are analyzed. Advantages, limitations and prospects are discussed. An electronic followed by manual search of relevant literature in English was conducted. Relevant keywords were used to search in bibliographic databases. Predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria were utilized to extract the relevant research titles. Both authors then screened the abstracts of the selected titles. The last step was analyzing the full articles to extract the data. The extracted material was then categorized under headings in a narrative review of literature format. It was concluded that workflows of 3D printed complete dentures are being continuously refined. The physical, mechanical properties and material biocompatibility of printed complete denture materials are also been improved. Advantages of this technology include potential cost reduction, fabrication of complex geometries, possible reduction in number of visits, archivability, apparent acceptable accuracy, less post-insertion maintenance and acceptable patient satisfaction. On the other hand, some aspects still need further investigations and improvements namely: color stability and esthetics, wear resistance of the occlusal surfaces, amenability to rebasing and relining, in addition to surface roughness and Candida albicans adherence. 

Published

2022-10-30