Accuracy of zirconia crowns manufactured by stereolithography with an occlusal full-supporting structure: An in vitro study

Abstract

Statement of problem

Additive manufacturing is emerging as an alternative method of fabricating dental restorations, but the support design needs to be optimized.

Purpose

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the 3-dimensional trueness and adaptations of zirconia crowns manufactured by stereolithography (SLA) with an occlusal full-supporting structure, compared with those SLA-printed with pillar supports, and those made by milling.

Material and methods

A zirconia abutment was prepared, and an anatomic contour crown was designed. The crowns were manufactured by SLA and milling (n=6). For SLA manufacturing, a full-supporting base and pillar supports were designed. The 3-dimensional (3D) trueness of the fabricated crowns was characterized by 3D deviation analysis. The adaptations of crowns in the SLA-base and milling groups were measured by using a triple-scan method. Color-difference maps and the root mean square (RMS) values were used to characterize the 3D trueness. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey post hoc test were used to analyze the difference in RMS values among the 3 groups, and Student t test was used to analyze the difference in cement-gap width between the milling group and the SLA group with the full-supporting base (α=.05).

Results

The 3D deviation analysis showed that in the external area, the RMS value of the SLA-pillar group was significantly higher than that of the SLA-base and the milling groups (P<.05). In the intaglio area, the milling group showed a lower RMS value than the 2 SLA groups (P<.05). The color-difference maps showed the SLA-base group had smaller positive errors at the cusp inclines than the SLA-pillar group. No statistically significant difference was found in adaptations between the SLA-base and milling groups (P>.05).

Conclusions

The occlusal full-supporting base provided improved support in fabricating the crowns, and no remnants were left after removal. The zirconia crowns manufactured by SLA with an occlusal full-supporting structure had good external 3D trueness and clinically acceptable adaptation.