Introduction: Study models are basic recognisable aids in dental orthodontics and a
prerequisite for planning a more complex prosthetic treatment. These aids provide a threedimensional presentation of the oral cavity as well as help determine morphological
properties of teeth and bite and the difficulty level of occlusion prior the treatment. They
are effective aids, which help patients visualise and understand the need for special
treatment of the oral cavity. Comparing the initial and final stage of the study model, we
can evaluate the effectiveness of prosthetic and orthodontic treatment. Study models can be
constructed in different ways. We can construct classic study models and modern 3D
printed or milled study models. Aim: We presented the procedure of constructing a cast
study model and a 3D printed model and calculating their cost price on the same sample. In
doing so, we try to determine the construction time of a certain study model, its quality and
its cost value. Method: The work method used in the theoretical part is the descriptive
method. Academic literature, primarily books and articles, was found through Google
Scholar, the Digital Library of Slovenia, the National Center for Biotechnology
Information and the COBISS bibliographic system. The literature used is written in either
Slovene or English. We sought academic literature, published between the years 2011 and
2020, using the following keywords: cast and 3D printed study model, 3D printer, material
in dental prosthetics and business economics. In the practical part, we described and
presented how to construct a cast and a 3D printed model, which were constructed in a
dental laboratory under expert supervision, and how to calculate their cost price. Results:
We described the process of constructing a cast and a 3D printed study model, determining
the construction time and how much time it takes laboratory dental prosthetist to construct
the models. We calculated the cost price, including the employer’s cost for employees and
the costs for material, amortisation of operating tools, amortisation of small tools and other
costs. Discussion and conclusion: The results of the calculated cost price show that cast
study models are more economical. However, using modern technologies and a 3D printer,
we can modernise the dental laboratory, reduce the study model construction time and
lessen the possibility of fractures, which also ensures a long-term storage of digital models.
The construction of milled study models is not recommended due to a inconsiderably high
construction price and an unnecessary high quality of materials.
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