Metal additive manufacturing technologies: literature review of current status and prosthodontic applications

Objectives: To review the current metal-based additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, namely powder bed fusion (PBF) technologies, and their current prosthodontic applications. The PBF technologies reviewed are selective laser sintering (SLS), selective laser melting (SLM), and electron beam melting (EBM). Materials and methods: The literature on metal AM technologies was considered, and the AM procedures and their current applications in prosthodontics were collated and described. Published articles about AM metal in dental care were searched (MEDLINE, EMBASE, EBSCO, and Web of Science). All studies related to the description, analysis, and evaluation of prosthodontic applications using metal AM technologies. Results and conclusions: AM technologies are reliable for many applications in dentistry, including metal frameworks for removable partial dentures (RPDs), overdentures, tooth- and implant-supported fixed dental prostheses (FDPs), and metal frameworks for splinting implant impression abutments. However, further studies are needed in future to evaluate the accuracy, reproducibility, and clinical outcome throughout function of AM technologies. Keywords: 3D printing, additive manufacturing technologies, electron beam melting, metal, selective laser melting, selective laser sintering, prosthodontics