Effect of post-curing time on the color stability and related properties of a tooth-colored 3D-printed resin material

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of post-curing time on the color stability and related properties, such as degree of conversion (DC), surface roughness, water contact angle, water sorption (W_sp), and water solubility (W_sl) of 3D-printed resin for dental restorations. The 3D-printed specimens were divided into four groups according to the post-curing time (0, 5, 10, and 20 min). Color changes (ΔE₀₀) of the specimens immersed in aging media were measured using a spectrophotometer at different aging times. The DC of the resin was measured using a FTIR. The surface roughness (Ra) of the resin immersed in coffee was measured at different aging times. Water contact angle was evaluated using the sessile drop method, and W_sp and W_sl were tested according to the ISO 4049:2019. The ΔE₀₀ values of the specimens immersed in coffee and red wine decreased with increasing post-curing time. As the post-curing time increased up to 10 min, the DC increased and water contact angle decreased. The Ra value of the group without post-curing (0 min) increased gradually for 30 days, except between 7 and 15 days. However, when the post-curing time increased to greater than 10 min, no apparent change in Ra value was detected. The W_sp and W_sl of the group without post-curing were significantly lower and larger than that of the other groups, respectively. The longer the post-curing time of the tooth-colored 3D-printed resin, the better the color stability. The post-curing time of the 3D-printed resin affected the DC, surface roughness after aging in the staining media, water contact angle, water sorption, and water solubility.

Keywords: 3D printing; Additive manufacturing; CAD/CAM; Color stability; Post-curing; Staining.