Influence of secondary reconstruction on rapid prototyping tooth model accuracy

Abstract

Medical tools and accessories often have a complex geometry, and therefore, rapid prototyping technologies are in advantage compared to conventional machining and forming technologies in medical object producing. Accuracy of the produced medical tools and accessories is very important. Input file (3D model), which is often obtained from a computed tomography scan, has a direct repercussion on their accuracy. For exporting scanned (DICOM) file in file readable to rapid prototyping systems (for example STL), specialized software based on secondary reconstruction can be used. In this paper, influence of software 3D Doctor and CT scanner parameters on accuracy of the fabricated model (human tooth) was investigated. Models were fabricated using two rapid prototyping technologies: Fused deposition modeling, and 3D inkjet printing. Diameters of the conical root canal in the master, and produced models, were measured and compared. For precise measuring, the coordinate measuring machine Carl Zeiss CONTURA G2 RDS was used