Comparative investigations are presented into the structure and properties of selected engineering materials used for dental prosthetic restorations manufactured alternatively by the subtractive method by milling on computerised numerical control (CNC) milling machines and by the additive selective laser sintering (SLS) method of solid and porous elements using computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) techniques; moreover, an original technology was presented of manufacturing the elements used in prosthodontics, produced with titanium and Ti6Al4V alloy powders with the SLS technique. Suitability was confirmed of applying the manufacturing technologies used in prosthodontics from powders by the SLS technique. The results were compared of the executed tests of strength micro-samples and of the selected prosthetic Bridges. The SLS technology for titanium, and even more for Ti6Al4V alloy, ensures the achievement of mechanical properties comparable or better than a reference Co-Cr alloy commonly used for prosthetic restorations, including prosthetic bridges fabricated by milling solid discs with CNC milling machines. For all the examined engineering materials, the milled and then sintered ZrO2 material exhibits the lowest strength properties. The results presented in this chapter can be directly applied in dental practice.
Part of the book: Biomaterials in Regenerative Medicine