| Summary: | The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the fracture resistance of a temporary three-unit fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) made of a new polymeric material obtained by an additive technique (3DPP) using a computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) system, comparing the prosthesis to the respective outcomes of temporary polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) FDPs obtained by a subtractive technique (milling). Methods: Three-unit FDPs were 3D printed using a polymeric material (<i>n</i> = 20) or milled using polymethylmethacrylate (<i>n</i> = 20). After thermocycling at 5000 cycles at extreme temperatures of 5 °C and 55 °C in distilled water, each specimen was subjected to a compression test on a universal testing machine at a rate of 0.5 mm/min until failure occurred, recording the value in newtons (N). Results: There were statistically significant differences (<i>p</i>-value < 0.005) between the PMMA material (2104.7 N; SD = 178.97 N) and 3DPP (1000.8 N; SD = 196.4 N). Conclusions: The fracture resistance of the PDFs manufactured from milled PMMA showed higher values for fracture resistance. However, the resistance of the 3DPP showed acceptable values under mechanical load; this notable advance in the resistance of printed materials consolidates them as an important alternative to use in interim indirect restorations.
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