Skip to content
Submit a Ticket
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

How does SLM manufacturing compare to traditional metal casting?

If your partial frameworks are currently being cast in metal, SLM manufacturing offers meaningful advantages. The difference begins with how the metal is formed. Traditional casting transforms metal from a solid to a liquid and back to a solid again, a process that can introduce variability and internal disorganization. SLM instead selectively melts metal powder with a laser, building the framework additively in precise layers. The table below organizes the key differences.

Category Traditional Casting SLM Manufacturing
Internal structure Microstructure formed by melting and re-solidifying, which can be less organized Homogeneous single-phase microstructure built layer by layer
Fracture and fatigue resistance More susceptible to weak points from casting variables Increased longevity and superior resistance to fatigue fractures
Dimensional accuracy and fit Variable; dependent on casting and finishing steps Extraordinary dimensional accuracy for more comfortable, secure fit
Reproducibility Variable casting quality Significantly better reproducibility; predictable outcomes
Replacements Requires re-fabrication Frameworks can be exactly replicated from digital files
Process risks Potential oxidation, bubbles, and contamination Process control helps eliminate these risks
Finishing More manual finishing and associated variables Near-net shape production requires minimal finishing

The clinical consequences of these manufacturing advantages are practical and measurable for the practice:

  • Fewer adjustment appointments. Because the framework fits with high dimensional accuracy, less chairside adjustment is needed.
  • Lower remake risk. Strong reproducibility means consistent, predictable results case to case, reducing the likelihood of remakes.
  • Easier replacements. Since the framework is built from a digital file, a lost or damaged framework can be reproduced from the stored design rather than starting over with new records.
  • Reliable clasp retention. Precision manufacturing allows clasps to be made with optimal retention characteristics, with intended retention forces consistently achieved.

ROE has studied the SLM process for partial frameworks and produces them in-house. The lab states this allows faster delivery than labs that outsource, along with more precise and durable frameworks than traditional casting methods can achieve.

 

Additional Resources

For more information concerning the digital dentures:

Contact Information

For help with a digital denture solution for your next case, contact ROE Dental Laboratory: