Dimensional Changes of in Office Fabricated Implant Surgical Guides Using Two Different Post-processing Methods

Objectives: The study examined the dimensional changes based on two post-processing methods of in office fabricated implant surgical guides including automated manufacturer's recommendation and hand wash with ultrasonic method.
Methods: A total of 20 implant surgical guides were printed using desktop in office 3D printer, Form 2 (Formlabs). After printed, 10 guides were undergone automated post-processing per manufacturer's recommendation and then autoclave sterilization. The other 10 guides were undergone hand washing with isopropanol as well as ultrasonic cleaning then air dried, and then autocleave sterilization. All guides were then scanned using cone beam computed tomography. Dicom files were then converted into an STL format. Geomagic software was then used to compare each guide with the original STL file. The overall dimensional changes were measured and statistical analyzed using t-test (α=0.05).
Results: Hand washing with ultrasonic cleaning post-processing method showed lower dimensional changes compared to the automated method (p<0.05). However, the difference is in the range of 50-100 μm and may not be clinically significant for a single implant guide.
Conclusions: Hand washing with ultrasonic cleaning method provides better dimensional stability for 3D printed in office implant surgical guides. However, the differences may not be clinically significant.