ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of the working models fabricated by the subtractive and additive processing methods based on the 3-dimensional reconstruction model. A total of 20 models were fabricated with subtractive processing method from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) blocks using the stereolithography (STL) file of master gypsum model and another 20 models were fabricated with additive processing method using 3D printer with 0.025 mm of a layer thickness. The CAD-reference-model (CRM) and CAD-test-model (CTM) were superimposed by a software for accuracy analysis (Geomagic Qualify 13), where the STL files were transformed to point cloud data and the surface data (CRM and CTM) were subjected to initial alignment and followed by re-alignmented according to best-fit superimposition. The distances between surface data and all points, in this process, were converted to the root mean square (RMS) and averaged. In the experimental results, It was shown that the accuracy is higher in work model fabricated by additive processing method compared to one fabricated by subtractive one (p < 0.05). In addition, it is considered that the working model fabricated by subtractive processing method is to be clinically applicable by improving the improper reproducibility of the tooth surface and depressed area.