Estudo econômico preliminar dos custos utilizados na produção digital de próteses totais, próteses fixas unitárias e placas oclusais

Abstract

Introduction: Edentulism remains a significant public health problem in Brazil, with a high demand for prosthetic rehabilitation within the Unified Health System (SUS). The incorporation of digital work flows in the fabrication of dental prostheses and occlusal splints hás the potential to improve service efficiency; however, studies evaluating the costs of consumable materials involved in this process are still scarce. Objective: To conduct a partial economic evaluation of the direct costs of consumable materials used in the digital production of complete dentures, single fixed prostheses, and occlusal splints within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS).. Methodology: This is a partial economic evaluation conducted from the perspective of direct acquisition costs of consumable materials used in the clinical and laboratory stages of the digital workflow. The study is part of a pilot project approved by the Ministry of Health and developed in partnership with the Federal University of Uberlândia, involving five regional centers. Estimated monthly production included 200 complete dentures, 200 single-unit fixed prostheses, and 50 occlusal splints. Prices were obtained through market research from up to three national suppliers, and the arithmetic mean was adopted as the reference value. Unit costs were calculated by multiplying the mean price by the quantity of each input required for production. Results: The estimated mean direct cost was BRL 19.40 for milled occlusal splints and BRL 39.89 for 3D-printed occlusal splints. For 3D-printed single-unit fixed prostheses, the cost was BRL 24,91, and BRL18.28 for milled single-unit fixed prostheses.. For monomaxillary complete dentures, costs varied according to the manufacturing method: BRL 170.45 for 3D printing and BRL 532.32 for milling. Milling showed a lower unit cost for fixed prostheses and occlusal splints, whereas 3D printing presented a lower cost for complete dentures, demonstrating that the manufacturing method significantly impacts the direct cost of consumable materials.Conclusion: Direct consumable costs in digital workflows vary according to the type of device and production method. These findings provide evidence to support planning and decision-making regarding the incorporation of digital technologies in public prosthetic rehabilitation services.