Soft Metal versus Laser Melting Metal Framework Used for Mandibular All on Four Implant Supported Fixed Complete Denture

Abstract

Objective: Radiographic evaluation of peri-implant bone height changes in mandibular all on-four implant supported fixed complete denture (ISFCD) regarding metal framework fabrication technique either with milling from soft metal block or additive manufacturing using laser melting. Materials and Methods: Ten completely edentulous patients were rehabilitated with mandibular all on-four ISFCD. Computer-guided surgical procedures were followed for placement of implants. Patients were allocated randomly into two groups according to the framework fabrication technique. Group I frameworks were milled from soft metal block and group II frameworks were fabricated with additive manufacturing using laser melting. Vertical bone height changes around supporting dental implants were evaluated for each patient using peri-apical x-ray made at T0 (insertion day), T6 (6 months after insertion), and T12 (12 months after insertion). The vertical bone height change was measured using scanora software. Data was described and analyzed using SPSS program. Results : showed that there was no statistically significant bone loss difference between frameworks made by laser melting and those made by milling soft metal around dental implants supporting frameworks (p > 0.005). However, frameworks fabricated from soft metal showed significant bone loss at T12 compared to T6. Conclusions: Mandibular ISFCD fabricated from soft metal block, or laser melting exhibited acceptable vertical bone height changes at six months and one year with non-significant difference between them. However, frameworks fabricated by milling from soft metal exhibited significant vertical bone height changes at one year compared to that at six months. Introduction: