Precision Milled, Printed, And Conventional Occlusal Splints

To determine the accuracy of occlusal splints manufactured subtractively with PMNA discs, additively with 3D printing, and conventionally with microwave-printed acrylic A sample of 6 people was intentionally selected, meeting certain inclusion and exclusion criteria. They signed informed consent approved by Ethics Committee No. 0118. All participants underwent alginate impressions and casts with type IV plaster, both mixed under vacuum. Records were taken with a facebow and intermaxillary centric relation using a deprogrammer. Models mounted on the articulator were scanned with a table scanner. For each sample, 3 splints were manufactured subtractively, additively, and analogically, the latter with acrylic in microwave-safe flasks. All splints were digitally designed and stored in STL. Eighteen splints were made, comprising six 3D-printed splints, six PMMA-milled splints, and six wax-milled molds for analog manufacturing. Accuracy was assessed by recording the intensity of the occlusal force in centric and eccentric positions (2D and 3D) using digital occlusal analysis using a sensor. The contact points and the intensity of the occlusal force in centric and eccentric positions for the digital splints were adequately recorded and were statistically significant using the Friedman-Cochran independent samples test The milled and 3D-printed digital occlusal splints were more accurate than conventional acrylic ones.