Usefulness of digital light processing based three-dimensional printing in the digital production of provisional restorations

Abstract

Digital light processing (DLP) based 3D printing is an additive digital technique that allows manufacturing of a complex three-dimensional structure by projecting light on a light cured resin. After each exposure, the platform of the printer descends, with a distance equal to the thickness of a layer, and the process repeats until the final product is obtained. Our study aims to present the laboratory steps necessary for the manufacturing of temporary restorations consisting of provisional crowns by DLP based 3D printing. The temporary restorations obtained fulfilled the targeted aesthetic and functional characteristics and restored the morphological and functional integrity of the maxillary arch, until the application of the final fixed dental prostheses. In addition to ease and accuracy, significant time saving can be achieved for both the dental office and the laboratory, as well as for the patient, eliminating a number of steps by the advantages of 3D printing technology over conventional techniques.