Comparative Evaluation of the Accuracy of Prostheses Fabricated using Newer Generation Technology

Context: In the new age of manufacturing, 3D Printing and Milling have made impressive inroads into the dental world. During the manufacturing process, assessing the accuracy and fit of a prosthesis, decides the success rate of the restoration as a whole. Therefore, the accuracy of the crowns was measured and compared using newer additive and subtractive manufacturing techniques. Aims and Objectives: To compare and evaluate the accuracy of crowns manufactured by 3D Printing and Milling (in-vitro). Methods and Material: Two Co-Cr crowns were fabricated, one by 3D Printing and the other by Milling, on a tooth prepared in-vitro (die). The die and the intaglio surfaces of the crowns were scanned using the Shining 3D DS-EX Pro Scanner. The outer surface of the die scan was aligned with the scans of the intaglio surfaces of the DMLS as well as the Milled crown individually and 3D compared on the Geomagic Control X. Results: The accuracy of the alignment of the DMLS crown was found to be 90.3243 % and that of the Milled crown was found to be 88.7988 %. Conclusions: This showed that the 3D printed crown was 1.5255 % more accurate than the Milled crown.