Laboratory evaluation of production efficiency for removable partial denture frameworks using in-house casting vs outsourced additive manufacturing techniques

Selective laser sintering (SLS) is an alternative workflow for fabricating metal prosthodontic frameworks. Production efficiency of this workflow was compared to traditional casting (CAST) in a prospective pilot evaluation in a hospital prosthodontic laboratory setting. Time taken to complete each of the identified stages in the production of fifty removable partial denture frameworks made using either SLS (n=25) or CAST (n=25) workflows was measured. Mean time for production was calculated for each workflow and the difference was tested for statistical significance. Results indicate that an SLS workflow may be more time efficient and further cost-effectiveness research is indicated.