Purpose: To evaluate the surface characteristics, accuracy (trueness and precision), and
dimensional stability of tooth preparation dies fabricated using conventional gypsum and direct
light processing (DLP), stereolithography (SLA), and polymer jetting printing (PJP) techniques.
Materials and Methods: Gypsum preparation dies were replicated according to the reference data
and imported into DLP, SLA, and PJP printers, and the test data were obtained by scanning after 0,
1, 3, 7, 14, 28, and 42 days. After analyzing the surface characteristics, a best-fit algorithm
between the test and the reference data was used to evaluate the accuracy and dimensional stability
of the preparation dies. The data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey test or
Kruskal-Wallis H test (α = .05). Results: Compared with the gypsum group (3.61 ± 0.59 μm), the
root mean square error (RMSE) values of the SLA group (5.33 ± 0.48 μm) was rougher (P < .05),
the PJP group (2.43 ± 0.37 μm) was smoother (P < .05), and the DLP group (2.92 ± 0.91 μm) had
no significant difference (P > .05). For trueness, the RMSE was greater in the PJP (34.90 ± 4.91
μm) and SLA (19.01 ± 0.95 μm) groups than in the gypsum (16.47 ± 0.47 μm) group (P < .05), and
no significant difference was found between the DLP (17.10 Å} 1.77 μm) and gypsum groups.
Regarding precision, the RMSE ranking was gypsum = DLP = SLA < PJP group. The RMSE
ranges in the gypsum, DLP, PJP, and SLA groups at different times were 6.79 to 8.86 μm, 5.44 to
10.17 μm, 10.16 to 11.28 μm, and 10.94 to 32.74 μm, respectively. Conclusion: Although gypsum
and printed preparation dies showed statistically significant differences in surface characteristics,
accuracy, and dimensional stability, all tooth preparation dies were clinically tolerated and used to
produce fixed restorations.