Accuracy of 3D-Printed Occlusal Devices of Different Volumes Using a Digital Light Processing Printer

(1) Background: This in-vitro study was designed to investigate the accuracy of CAD/CAM fabricated occlusal devices with different heights and volumes. (2) Methods: Based on an intraoral scan, an occlusal device with a vertical bite elevation of 2.5 mm and 4.5 mm was digitally designed and 3D printed 10 times. The fabricated occlusal devices were digitized by an industrial structured light scanner (ILS) and provided in stl-format as test objects. The test objects were superimposed with the design dataset as reference to evaluate the accuracy of complete surfaces ([2.5_TOTAL] and [4.5_TOTAL]) with respect to their internal surfaces ([2.5_INTERNAL] and [4.5_INTERNAL]). The mean trueness and precision were calculated based on absolute mean deviation. Absolute and relative volume differences between reference and test were computed. Statistical significances were analyzed performing the Wilcoxon test (alpha = 0.05). (3) Results: As absolute mean deviation trueness values were obtained: 59 +/- 5 mu m for [2.5_INTERNAL], 98 +/- 9 mu m for [4.5_INTERNAL], 68 +/- 1 mu m for [2.5_TOTAL] and 90 +/- 10 mu m for [4.5_TOTAL]. The precision applying absolute mean deviation was 14 +/- 8 mu m for [2.5_INTERNAL], 22 +/- 11 mu m for [4.5_INTERNAL], 19 +/- 10 mu m for [2.5_TOTAL] and 26 +/- 13 mu m for [4.5_TOTAL]. The mean trueness and precision values differed significantly. Volume differences of 2.11% for [4.5_TOTAL] and of 2.35% for [2.5_TOTAL] in comparison to their reference file were evaluated. (4) Conclusions: Printed occlusal devices with minor height and volume were more accurate. Both types of devices exhibited results that were comparable to the literature.

Automated summary

This in-vitro study investigated the accuracy of CAD/CAM fabricated occlusal devices with different heights and volumes. The results showed that printed occlusal devices with minor height and volume were more accurate, and the results were comparable to previous studies.