OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to assess how the build angle used to print the surgical guide can affect the overall dimensional accuracy of the printed surgical guide.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the same reference model, a total of thirty surgical guides were fabricated with a laser stereolithographic desktop 3D-printer using three different build angles (n=10 per group) in relation to the build platform: vertical (90°), 45° and horizontal (0°). Each printed surgical guided was digitally scanned and then compared to the reference model using a comprehensive metrology software, for 3-dimensional superimposition analysis. Best-fit algorithm was used to assess dimensional accuracy of the printed surgical guides.

RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in mean positive deviation amongst the groups fabricated in three different build angles, with the horizontal group showing less accuracy. In mean negative deviation the vertical group was significantly less accurate than the 45° group. The percentage of points inbounds was significantly higher for the 45° group than the other two groups evaluated.

CONCLUSIONS: The build angle used during the fabrication of the surgical guide with a desktop stereolithographic 3D printer can affect the dimensional accuracy of the surgical guide; the expected deviations should be considered in respect to the clinical tolerances.