Effect of Build Angle and Model Body Type (Solid vs Shell) on Accuracy of 3D-Printed Orthodontic Models Using a DLP Printer

Abstract

This study examined the effect that print angulation and model body type (solid vs. shell) have on the accuracy of orthodontic models printed with a digital light processing (DLP) 3D printer. The following six configuration of models were printed: 0° Solid, 0° Shell, 70° solid, 70° shell, 90° solid, and 90° shell. Eleven selected structures and distances were measured and compared against a digital master model. Based on the comparisons made between the experimental models and digital master model, print angulation and model body type had little to no clinically relevant impact on the accuracy of the orthodontic models, with 98% of the raw measurements falling within the range of clinical acceptability, which was set at ±0.25 mm for single tooth measurements (intra-tooth) and ±0.5 mm for cross arch measurements (inter-tooth). The overall results of this study suggest that altering print angulation and model body type according to the parameters set in this study, does not impact the clinical accuracy of 3D printed orthodontic models. These findings suggest greater flexibility of the practitioner to alter print settings to meet the needs of various clinical scenarios.