The effect of thickness

The effect of thickness, arch type, and storage duration on the dimensional stability and seating accuracy of 3d-printed implant surgical guides. Forty-eight surgical guides were fabricated using stereolithography (SLA) in partial-arch (PA) and full-arch (FA) surgical template designs across three thickness levels (2, 3, and 4 mm). All designs were fabricated for single-missing-tooth cases.

The guides were stored for up to 14 days and evaluated at five time points (0, 1, 3, 7, and 14 days). Dimensional changes were quantified using root mean square error (RMSE) and visualized through colormap analysis, and seating accuracy was assessed by model-based mounting analysis. Most dimensional deformation occurred within the first 24 hours, with stabilization thereafter.

Among PA guides, the 2-mm-thick group exhibited a pronounced increase in deformation at day 7 (RMSE: 200.14 ± 37.52 µm), whereas 3-mm and 4-mm PA guides remained dimensionally stable throughout the observation period (4-mm at day 14: 45.90 ± 3.73 µm). FA guides showed more consistent RMSE values across thicknesses and time points than PA guides (4-mm at day 14: 65.16 ± 0.47 µm) and maintained consistent seating accuracy throughout the study.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals for medical decisions and treatment options.