Accuracy and retention of denture bases fabricated by injection molding, milling, and three-dimensional printing

Abstract

Objective: To compare the accuracy and retention of denture bases fabricated by injection molding, milling, and three-dimensional (3D) printing fabricating, in order to provide some references for clinical practice. Methods: A maxillary edentulous jaw model made was used to duplicated 10 working casts. The casts were numbered and scanned. The wax pattern was designed by digital ways and conventional methods and then the denture bases were fabricated by injection molding, milling, and 3D printing. The tissue surface of experimental denture base was obtained using a dental laboratory scanner. The deviation between the tissue surface of the fabricated denture bases and the working model was evaluated. A digital force gauge was used to measure the traction force. Results: The milling group [(0.076±0.026) mm] was more accurate than the 3D printing group [(0.117±0.041) mm] (P<0.05) and the injection group [(0.120± 0.025) mm] (P<0.05). The accuracy of 3D printing group and that of injection group were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The milling group [(9.55±2.44) N] demonstrated greater retentive force than 3D printing group [(5.19±0.06) N] and injection molding group [(1.52±0.52) N] (P<0.05). Conclusions: The denture base fabricated by milling was more accurate and showed the greatest retentive force than the other groups. And 3D printing group showed better retentive force than the injection molding group. Both digital manufacturing methods can meet the requirements of clinical application.