Implant-supported prosthetic rehabilitation for the edentulous maxilla using the additive manufacturing technology: A case report

Abstract

The direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) technique would be promising for the full-arch implant-supported restorations due to reduced cost and manufacturing time without potential human errors and casting defects. The aims of this case report were to describe the successful outcome of an implant-supported fixed dental prosthesis in the edentulous maxilla by using the DMLS technology and computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) monolithic zirconia crowns, and to describe its clinical implications. A healthy 51-year-old Korean woman visited Seoul National University Dental Hospital and she was in need of a rehabilitation of her entire maxilla due to severe tooth mobility. In this case, all maxillary teeth were extracted and an implant-supported fixed dental prosthesis was fabricated that involved a cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) framework with the DMLS technique and CAD/CAM monolithic zirconia crowns. Six months after delivery, no distinct mechanical and biological complications were detected and the prosthesis exhibited satisfactory esthetics and function. In this case report, with the DMLS system, the three-dimensional printed prosthesis was created without additional manual tooling and thus, reliable accuracy and passive fit were obtained.