Laboratory evaluation of production efficiency for removable partial denture frameworks using in-house casting versus outsourced additive manufacturing techniques.

Abstract

To compare the production efficiency of selective laser sintering (SLS) to traditional casting for the fabrication of metal prosthodontic frameworks in a prospective pilot evaluation in a hospital prosthodontic laboratory setting. The time taken to complete each of the identified stages in the production of 50 removable partial denture frameworks made using either SLS (n = 25) or casting (n = 25) workflows was measured. The mean time for production was calculated for each workflow, and the difference was tested for statistical significance. The results indicate that an SLS workflow may be more time-efficient, and further cost-effectiveness research is indicated.