Dimensional accuracy of dental casting patterns created by 3D printers

Contrary to widespread incise CAD/CAM, little is known about the dental application of 3D printing, especially the possibility of using 3D printing with organic material. The resin patterns of a full crown model were created by four types of 3D printers, a thermofusion device (CX), a digital light processing stereo-lithograph device (B9), a laser stereo-lithograph device (DW) and a multi-jet modeling device (PJ). The dimensional accuracy of the outer and inner diameters and depths of the created model crowns, and the surface roughness of sidewall were investigated. The outer diameters were smaller than the designed value in most conditions. The inner diameters were smaller than the designed value in any enlargement ratio except B9. The depth of CX or B9 tended to become shallower, though that of PJ or DW tended to increase. The surface roughness along the tooth axis direction was greater than that perpendicular to the tooth axis.