BACKGROUND: Modern prosthetic technologies make it possible to fabricate prosthetic restorations without material loss and to make prosthetic restorations with complex geometric shapes in a relatively simple way. One such technology is selective laser melting (SLM), or additive manufacturing of metal materials, better known as 3D printing from metal or selective laser melting, but currently the most commonly used method is casting. The present study investigated use of dental chromium-cobalt alloys for prosthetic bridges and compared methods of processing dental chromium-cobalt alloys to obtain the best mechanical properties.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used dental chromium-cobalt alloy (SCHEFTNER GMBH) for laser melting StarbondCoSEeasy Powder with grain size of 10-30 µm and StarbondCoS alloy casting, made in accordance with the European standard EN ISO 22674. SLM-made specimens and induction melted alloy castings were prepared for the study. A centrifugal casting system with induction current melting of the metal alloy was used to produce the samples. The melting and casting process is automatic and limits changes in chemical composition.

RESULTS: The results show that none of the samples changed their chemical composition, while the samples made by SLM had better mechanical properties.

CONCLUSIONS: The SLM technique makes it possible to produce restorations faster and cheaper without any loss of quality compared to restorations made with the casting technique. Casting technology reduces mechanical properties, but still provides good mechanical properties.

Keywords: Metal Ceramic Alloys, Hardness, Hardness Tests, Compressive Strength, Surface Properties, Chromium Alloys, Materials Testing, Chromium, Ceramics, Cobalt, Humans, Dental Casting Technique, Lasers, Dental Alloys