Mechanical approach of metal-ceramic crowns obtained with laser-based additive manufacturing methods

Abstract

The potential for fabricating metallic dental components directly from digital data using alternative technologies is a topic of ongoing interest. The most recent developed procedures, like laser-based additive manufacturing methods represent an excellent opportunity to increase their application in achieving dental restorations. Purpose: The objective of the study was to assess the fracture behavior of metal-ceramic molar crowns obtained with laser-based additive manufacturing methods related to other manufacturing procedures of the metallic frameworks. Materials and methods: For the experimental analyses metal-ceramic crowns were prepared using alternative technologies for the frameworks: traditional casting (CST), computerized milling (MIL), selective laser sintering (SLS) and selective laser melting (SLM). These were veneered with specific hot-pressed ceramics. Crowns were cemented on duplicated composite dies and tested under compressive load to fracture. Results: Maximal compressive loads were registered. The mean registered values were 2432.93 N for CST, 1955.02 N for MIL, 2104.96 N for SLS and 2141.76 N for SLM. Higher variations between the samples were registered for samples with frameworks obtained with additive manufacturing methods. Conclusion: Application of laser-based additive manufacturing methods is currently a challenge in dental alloys processing. The mechanical behavior of metal-ceramic crowns obtained with different manufacturing technologies is important from clinical point of view and should be related to other structural and morphological characteristics of the frameworks.