PROPERTIES OF 3D-PRINTED COMPLETE DENTURES – CLARIFIED AND UNCLARIFIED ASPECTS

Abstract

In recent years, the elaboration of complete dentures via the additive method of tri-dimensional (3D) printing has become more and more popular. This is a relatively new technology and while the technical aspects have been elaborated in detail, the clinical aspects of its application are undergoing development. The goal of this review was to analyze the data available up to now in dental literature about the quality of the 3D-printed complete dentures and outline the clear and unclear aspects, given their clinical application. E-search was performed in three databases: Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed. The results show that the properties of complete dentures elaborated via the additive technology of 3D printing have not been sufficiently analyzed from a clinical point of view. The mechanical properties of materials for 3D-printed removable dentures and the optimal technical parameters for the technology application are widely discussed. Yet prosthetic rehabilitation of fully edentulous patients with 3D-printed dentures still faces numerous challenges. Among them are the determination of precise vertical dimensions of occlusion when using fully digital clinical methods, achievement of optimal fitting to the denture bearing area, and sufficient masticatory function, respectively. Achievement of foreseeable aesthetical results is not a solved problem yet. Additional research is necessary to clarify these aspects of 3D-printed complete dentures' clinical performance.