Japan: Dental crowns can now be produced more efficiently than traditional milling using digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing, according to research from Japan's Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry.
In a recent study, the dentists used the same dataset to 3D print and wet mill crowns before superimposing their desired design over the models produced. The team claims that after numerous testing cycles, their 3D printed dental restorations showed "better precision" and "fewer marginal differences" than milled substitutes; as a result, they view DLP as a more "promising technology" for the fabrication of permanent crowns.
Is it time to move on from milling?
Some dentists are using milling resin-composite dental crowns over conventional metallic restorations as dental materials' wear resistance and color stability continue to advance. This method enables the creation of personalized implants before machining them from a ceramic block using CAD design software and an impression of the patient's teeth.
The Tohoku University team asserts that the technology has drawbacks, including material waste and the corrosion of the milling bar. The researchers also point out that milling frequently requires dentists to follow strict preparation guidelines, and even when they do, grooves can form on the inside surfaces of crowns, resulting in poor patient fit.
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