Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Additive Manufacturing Technologies Used for 3D Metal Printing in Dentistry

  • Dental Restorative Materials (M Özcan, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Oral Health Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Compared to conventional casting methods used for processing different alloys for dental applications, additive manufacturing technologies reduce manufacturing time and costs, minimize human errors and prevent possible defects in the cast objects. This review highlights working mechanisms, possible advantages and drawbacks of recent additive manufacturing technologies used for metal processing in dentistry.

Recent Findings

The literature reviewed indicated that powder-based fusion mainly based on selective laser sintering, selective laser melting and electro beam melting are the most commonly used technologies for 3D metal printing in dentistry for dental appliances made of CoCr and Ti6Al4V. Although mechanical properties of 3D printed alloys could be considered satisfactory, accuracy and reproducibility data do not present consistent results.

Summary

There appears room for improvement between 3D printed metals and ceramic interfaces and precision before such technologies could be favoured over conventional cast methods.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

  1. Singh V. Rapid prototyping, materials for RP and applications of RP. Int J Eng Res Sci. 2013;4:473–80.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Horn TJ, Harrysson OLA. Overview of current additive manufacturing technologies and selected applications. Sci Prog. 2012;95:255–82.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Van Noort R. The future of dental devices is digital. Dent Mater. 2012;28:3–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Tapie L, Lebon N, Mawussi B, et al. Understanding dental CAD/CAM for restorations. Accuracy from a mechanical engineering viewpoint. Int J Comput Dent. 2015;18:343–67.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Strub JR, Rekow ED, Witkowski S. Computer-aided design and fabrication of dental restorations: current systems and future possibilities. J Am Dent Assoc. 2006;137:1289–96.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Beuer F, Schweiger J, Edelhoff D. Digital dentistry: an overview of recent developments for CAD/CAM generated restorations. Br Dent J. 2008;204:505–11.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Lebon N, Tapie L, Duret F, et al. Understanding dental CAD/CAM for restorations—dental milling machines from a mechanical engineering viewpoint. Part A: chairside milling machines. Int J Comput Dent. 2016;19:45–62.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Lebon N, Tapie L, Duret F, et al. Understanding dental CAD/CAM for restorations—dental milling machines from a mechanical engineering viewpoint. Part B: labside milling machines. Int J Comput Dent. 2016;19:115–34.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Witkowski S. CAD-/CAM in dental technology. Quintessence Dent Technol. 2005;28:169–84.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Torabi K, Farjood E, Hamedani S. Rapid prototyping technologies and their applications in prosthodontics, a review of literature. J Dent Shiraz Univ Med Sci. 2015;16:1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  11. ASTM. Committee F42 on Additive Manufacturing Technologies, West Conshohocken, Pa. 2009 Standard terminology for additive manufacturing—general principles and terminology. ISO/ASTM52900–15.

  12. •• 3D Systems, Inc. 1988 Stereo Lithography Interface Specification. Valencia, CA. First patent on additive manufacturing technologies.

  13. Deckard C, Beaman J. Process and control issues in selective laser sintering. ASME Prod Eng Div. 1988;33:191–7.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Deckard CR. 1986. Patent US 4863538-A. Method and apparatus for producing parts by selective sintering.

  15. Mazzolini A. Selective laser sintering in biomedical engineering. Med Biol Eng Comput. 2013;51:245–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Fisher P, Karapatis N, Romano V, et al. A model for the interaction of near infrared pulsed laser with metal powders in selective laser sintering. Appl Phys A Mater Sci Process. 2002;74:467–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Anestiev LA, Froyen L. Model of primary rearrangement processes at liquid phase sintering and selective laser sintering due to biparticle interactions. J Appl Phys. 1997;86:4008–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Osakada K, Shiomi M. Flexible manufacturing of metallic products by selective laser melting of powder. Int J Mach Tools Manuf. 2006;46:1188–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. •• Vandenbroucke B, Kruth JP. Selective laser melting of biocompatible metals for rapid manufacturing of medical parts. Rapid Prototyp J. 2007;13:196–203. This first article investigating the possibility of producing medical or dental appliances using selective laser melting.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Traini T, Mangano C, Sammons RL, et al. Direct laser metal sintering as a new approach to fabrication of an isoelastic functionally graded material for manufacture of porous titanium dental implants. Dent Mater. 2008;24:1525–33.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. • Murr LE, Gaytan SM, Ramirez DA, et al. Metal fabrication by additive manufacturing using laser and electron beam melting technologies. J Mater Sci Technol. 2012;28:1–14. Good technical explanation and differentiation between Selective Laser Melting and Electron Beam Melting additive manufacturing technologies.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. •• Alcisto J, Enriquez A, Garcia H, et al. Tensile properties and microstructures of laser-formed Ti-6Al-4V. J Mater Eng Perform. 2011;20:203–12. In this article detailed information on microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties of Ti6Al4V are provided.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Abd-Elghany K, Bourrell DL. Property evaluation of 304 stainless steel fabricated by selective laser melting. Rapid Prototyp J. 2012;18:420–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Koutsoukis T, Zinelis S, Eliades G, et al. Selective laser melting technique of Co-Cr dental alloys: a review of structure and properties and comparative analysis with other available techniques. J Prosthodont. 2015;24:303–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Vijay Venkatesh K, Vidyashree NV. Direct metal laser sintering: a digitised metal casting technology. J Indian Prosthodont Soc. 2013;13:389–92.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. AMS 4999 Specification. Titanium alloy laser deposited products 6Al-4V annealed. Warrendale: SAE; 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Hollander DA, Von Walter M, Wirtz T, et al. Structural, mechanical and in vitro characterization of individually structured Ti-6Al-4V produced by direct laser forming. Biomaterials. 2006;27:955–63.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Niinomi M. Mechanical biocompatibilities of titanium alloys for biomedical applications. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2008;1:30–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Koike M, Greer P, Owen K, et al. Evaluation of titanium alloys fabricated using rapid prototyping technologies—electron beam melting and laser beam melting. Materials. 2011;4:1776–92.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  30. International standard ISO 22674. Dentistry—metallic materials for fixed and removable restorations and appliances. 2nd ed. 2016. pp. 12–36.

  31. Al Jabbari YS, Koutsoukis T, Barmpagadaki X, et al. Metallurgical and interfacial characterization of PFM Co-Cr dental alloys fabricated via casting, milling or selective laser melting. Dent Mater. 2014;30:e79–88.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Qian B, Saeidi K, Kvetková L, et al. Defects-tolerant Co-Cr-Mo dental alloys prepared by selective laser melting. Dent Mater. 2015;31:1435–44.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Takaichi A, Suyalatu, Nakamoto T, et al. Microstructures and mechanical properties of Co–29Cr–6Mo alloy fabricated by selective laser melting process for dental applications. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2013;21:67–76.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Kruth JP, Froyen L, Vaerenbergh JV, et al. Selective laser melting of iron-based powder. J Mater Process Technol. 2004;149:616–22.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Shiomi M, Osakada K, Nakamura K, et al. Residual stress within metallic model made by selective laser melting process. CIRP Ann Manuf Technol. 2004;53:195–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Mantrala KM, Das M, Balla VK, et al. Additive manufacturing of CoCrMo alloy: influence of heat treatment on microstructure, tribiological, and electrochemical properties. Front Mech Eng. 2015;1:2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Jevremovic D, Puskar T, Kosec B, et al. The analysis of the mechanical properties of F75 Co–Cr alloy for use in selective laser melting (SLM) manufacturing of removable partial dentures (RPD). Metalurgija. 2012;51:171–4.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Serra-Prat J, Cano-Batalla J, Cabratosa-Termes J, et al. Adhesion of dental porcelain to cast, milled, and laser-sintered cobalt-chromium alloys: shear bond strength and sensitivity to thermocycling. J Prosthet Dent. 2014;112:600–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Zeng L, Xiang N, Wei B. A comparison of corrosion resistance of cobalt- chromium-molybdenum metal ceramic alloy fabricated with selective laser melting and traditional processing. J Prosthet Dent. 2014;112:1217–24.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Lu Y, Wu S, Gan Y, et al. Investigation on the microstructure, mechanical property and corrosion behaviour of the selective laser melted CoCrW alloy for dental application. Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl. 2015;49:517–25.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. MJJ D. Titanium—a technical guide. 2nd ed. Materials Park: ASM International; 2000. p. 95–123.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Ding R, Guo ZX, Wilson A. Microstructural evolution of a Ti-6Al-4V alloy during thermo-mechanical processing. Mater Sci Eng A. 2002;327:233–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Lütjering G, Williams JC. Titanium. 2nd ed. Berlin: Springer; 2007. p. 86–103.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Lütjering G. Influence of processing on microstructure and mechanical properties of ([alpha]+[beta]) titanium alloys. Mater Sci Eng A. 1998;243:32–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Murr LE, Esquivel EV, Quinones SA, et al. Microstructures and mechanical properties of electron beam-rapid manufactured Ti-6Al-4V biomedical prototypes compared to wrought Ti-6Al-4V. Mater Charact. 2009;60:96–105.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Williams RJ, Bibb R, Rafik T. A technique for fabricating patterns for removable partial denture frameworks using digitized casts and electronic surveying. J Prosthet Dent. 2004;91:85–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Williams RJ, Bibb R, Eggbeer D, et al. Use of CAD/CAM technology to fabricate a removable partial denture framework. J Prosthet Dent. 2006;96:96–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. •• Williams RJ, Eggbeer D, Bibb R. CAD/CAM rapid manufacturing techniques in the fabrication of removable partial denture frameworks. Quintessence J Dent Technol. 2008;6:42–50. First dental application of additive manufacturing was described on this article for removable partial denture framework pattern.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Kattadiyil MT, Mursic Z, AlRumaih H, et al. Intraoral scanning of hard and soft tissues for partial removable dental prosthesis fabrication. J Prosthet Dent. 2014;112:444–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Kanazawa M, Iwaki M, Minakuchi S, et al. Fabrication of titanium alloy frameworks for complete dentures by selective laser melting. J Prosthet Dent. 2014;112:1441–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Lin WS, Chou JC, Metz MJ, et al. Use of intraoral digital scanning for a CAD/CAM-fabricated milled bar and superstructure framework for an implant-supported, removable complete dental prosthesis. J Prosthet Dent. 2015;113:509–15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Lee JW, Park JM, Park EJ, et al. Accuracy of a digital removable partial denture fabricated by casting a rapid prototyped pattern: a clinical study. J Prosthet Dent. 2017; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prosdent.2016.12.007.

  53. Chan C, Haraszthy G, Geis-Gerstorfer J, et al. Scanning electron microscopic studies of the marginal fit of three esthetic crowns. Quintessence Int. 1989;20:189–93.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Rudd RW, Rudd KD. A review of 243 errors possible during the fabrication of a removable partial denture: part I. J Prosthet Dent. 2001;86:251–61.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Coli P, Karlsson S. Fit of a new pressure-sintered zirconium dioxide coping. Int J Prosthodont. 2004;17:59–64.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Quante K, Ludwig K, Kern M. Marginal and internal fit of metal-ceramic crowns fabricated with a new laser melting technology. Dent Mater. 2008;24:1311–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Ucar Y, Akova T, Akyil MS, et al. Internal fit evaluation of crowns prepared using a new dental crown fabrication technique: laser-sintered Co-Cr crowns. J Prosthet Dent. 2009;102:253–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Xu D, Xiang N, Wei B. The marginal fit of selective laser melting-fabricated metal crowns: an in vitro study. J Prosthet Dent. 2014;112:1437–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Huang Z, Zhang L, Zhu J, et al. Clinical marginal and internal fit of crowns fabricated using different CAD/CAM Technologies. J Prosthodont. 2015;24:291–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Huang Z, Zhang L, Zhu J, et al. Clinical marginal and internal fit of metal ceramic crowns fabricated with a selective laser melting technology. J Prosthet Dent. 2015;113:623–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Örtorp A, Jönsson D, Mouhsen A, et al. The fit of cobalt–chromium three-unit fixed dental prostheses fabricated with four different techniques: a comparative in vitro study. Dent Mater. 2011;27:356–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Kim KB, Kim JH, Kim WC, et al. Three-dimensional evaluation of gaps associated with fixed dental prostheses fabricated with new technologies. J Prosthet Dent. 2014;112:1432–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Tamac E, Toksavul S, Toman M. Clinical marginal and internal adaptation of CAD/CAM milling, laser sintering, and cast metal ceramic crowns. J Prosthet Dent. 2014;112:909–13.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Akova T, Ucar Y, Tukay A, et al. Comparison of the bond strength of laser-sintered and cast base metal dental alloys to porcelain. Dent Mater. 2008;24:1400–4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Xiang N, Xin XZ, Chen J, et al. Metal-ceramic bond strength of Co-Cr alloy fabricated by selective laser melting. J Dent. 2012;40:453–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Wu L, Zhu H, Gai X, et al. Evaluation of the mechanical properties and porcelain bond strength of cobalt-chromium dental alloy fabricated by selective laser melting. J Prosthet Dent. 2014;111:51–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Wang H, Feng Q, Li N, et al. Evaluation of metal-ceramic bond characteristics of three dental Co-Cr alloys prepared with different fabrication techniques. J Prosthet Dent. 2016;116:916–23.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  68. AINSA/ADA. Standard No. 38-Metal-Ceramic Dental Restorative Systems: 2000 (Reaffirmed 2015). Geneva. Switzerland.

  69. ISO 9693:1999(E) Metal ceramic dental restorative systems. Geneva, Switzerland.

  70. Li J, Chen C, Liao J, et al. Bond strengths of porcelain to cobalt-chromium alloys made by casting, milling, and selective laser melting. J Prosthet Dent. 2016;115:109–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  71. Ren XW, Leng L, Wei ZM, et al. Effects of multiple firings on metal-ceramic bond strength of Co-Cr alloy fabricated by selective laser melting. J Prosthet Dent. 2016;115:109–14.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Zheng L, Zhang Y, Liu Z, et al. Effects of repeated firing on the marginal accuracy of Co-Cr copings fabricated by selective laser melting. J Prosthet Dent. 2015;113:135–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Revilla Research Center, Calle Berlin 14, 28922, Madrid, Spain

    Marta Revilla-León

  2. Department of Prosthodontics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA

    Marta Revilla-León

  3. Division of Dental Materials, Center for Dental and Oral Medicine, Clinic for Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics and Dental Materials Science, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Mutlu Özcan

Authors
  1. Marta Revilla-León
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mutlu Özcan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marta Revilla-León.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

Additional information

This article is part of the Topical Collection on Dental Restorative Materials

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Revilla-León, M., Özcan, M. Additive Manufacturing Technologies Used for 3D Metal Printing in Dentistry. Curr Oral Health Rep 4, 201–208 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40496-017-0152-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40496-017-0152-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation