Comparative study on two methods used in obtaining 3D printed dental models

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of two 3D printed dental models manufactured after intraoral/IO and extraoral/EO scanning. A dental study model (KaVo Dental GmbH/Germany) was used as a reference for this research; this model was scanned with an industrial scanner (XT H 225 ST/Industrial CT scan/Nikon Metrology Inc./U.S.A.) and a reference STL file was generated (coded M1). Two 3D printed models (Form2/FormLabs Inc./U.S.A.) were produced via IO scanning (TRIOS 3 Battery Cart/3 Shape/Denmark), respectively via EO scanning (Swing Dental Scanner/Dof Inc./South Korea) of the reference dental model. The 3D printed models obtained were scanned with the industrial scanner, resulting in other two STL files (coded M2, respectively M3). All the STL files obtained (reference M1; M2; M3) were compared in pairs, using a 3D analysis software. Good results were achieved in obtaining 3D printed dental models via IO or EO scanning, yet, the 3D printed dental model obtained via IO scanning (M3) showed slightly improved dimensional compatibility with the reference model (M1) in comparison with the 3D printed dental model manufactured via EO scanning (M2).