Dimensional Accuracy of Surgical Guides Fabricated from Different Materials Using 3D Printer

Abstract

Purpose: The recent advent of osseointegration has led to a major transformation in implantology and increased demand for methods for accurate placement of dental implants. Guided surgery using CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software is the most accurate way to accomplish this. Materials and methods: In this study, one edentulous test case was taken whose dentition was scanned using high-quality desktop scanner for Gypsum dental models. The STL (Standard Triangulation Language) file was generated and passed into 3 Shape Implant Studio® software where implant was planned and surgical guide model generated. The generated STL file was then printed by FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) printer using different types of materials such as PLA (Polylactic Acid), ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate with a Glycol) and Nylon. Results: The internal and external diameter and depth of all models were calculated and compared with STL file. Variation of each parameter from original was evaluated. PLA showed a deviation of −0.88, 0.83 and −1.37% for internal, external diameter and depth, respectively. For ABS, the values were 4.2, −2.28, −1.53%. Nylon showed greater deviations from original file with a variation of −10.8, 0.73 and −5.51% for the parameters. The values for PETG were 5.09, 1.76 and −0.92% respectively. Conclusion: It was concluded that PLA is the most accurate material for printing surgical guides using FDM printer, closely followed by ABS and PETG. Nylon is the least suited.