Research finds artificial teeth cheaper and more powerful materials

Kurnur: A study by research scholars from the Institute for Design and Manufacturing of Information Technology (IIITDM) promises to make dental treatments like dentistry and bridges more affordable, cheaper and accessible to the public.

These dental prostheses are critical to restoring damaged or missing teeth, and have traditionally become expensive due to their complex manufacturing, material consumption and the time-consuming nature of 3D printing.

Akula Siva Bhaskar, a PhD scholar at the institute, has developed a novel framework aimed at optimizing the 3D printing process of dental components using SLA (Stereolusthography) technology. His work focuses on reducing production costs and improving printing efficiency through simulation-based analysis and intelligent printing directions.

Under the guidance of Dr. Akhtar Khan, the scholar explores how different printing directions affect the generation of support structures. Although SLA printers rely on SliCer software to generate these support automatically, the software often creates excessive, unnecessary structures, resulting in higher substance use, longer printing times and increased costs, especially when mass production is performed.

To solve this problem, Bhaskar conducts simulation-based analysis and application decision-making tools such as the Hybrid MCDM (Multi-Standard Decision) method (AHP-TOPSIS and FUZZY LOGIC) to identify the optimal printing angle. His research found that the printing of bridges of 90°-90°-45° and the printing of crowns of 90°-45° significantly reduced the support structure (up to 78%) and reduced the overall production cost by about 25%.

The study also highlights the use of advanced materials such as PEEK (polyetherketone) and Pekk (polyetherketoneketone), which are strong, biocompatible plastics commonly used in medical and dental applications.

These materials are well known for their high durability, resistance to wear and compatibility with the human body, making them ideal for long-lasting dental implants such as crowns and bridges. By using Peek and Pekk, the quality and strength of printed dental parts were significantly improved, ensuring patient performance and comfort.

“This simple adjustment can make 3D printing more efficient and practical for dental laboratories using SLA-based methods. This method can also be adapted to other 3D printing techniques,” said Akula Siva Bhaskar.

His paper marks a significant advancement in digital dentistry, providing a cost-effective, cleaner, faster way to produce high-quality custom dental components – benefiting patients by making treatments more accessible and affordable.