Evaluation of photopolymer resins for dental prosthetics fabricated via the stereolithography process at different polymerization temperatures. Part II: Dimensional accuracy and fracture load of fixed dental prostheses

Abstract

Statement of problem: Prostheses printed on a 3-dimensional (3D) printer need to undergo the postpolymerization process, which can increase the working time. However, it has been not suggested for reducing workload and improving the properties of prostheses in dental clinical practice.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate how the printing temperature impacts the dimensional accuracy and fracture load of 3D printed fixed dental prostheses (FDPs).

Material and methods: Dental prostheses were printed at room temperature (RT), 50°C, and 70°C using a stereolithography 3D printer. Subsequently, after rinsing away residual monomer, the printed parts underwent the green condition (it was not subjected to any postprocessing) and postpolymerization. The mechanical properties of the printed FDPs were determined by loading to fracture (n=6). To evaluate their clinical applicability, the dimensional accuracy and fit of FDPs fabricated at various resin polymerization temperatures were measured (n=6). The 1-way analysis of variance was used to perform statistical comparisons, followed by the Tukey honestly significant difference test (α=.05).

Results: The specimens printed at RT and 50°C were better than those printed at 70°C in terms of dimensional accuracy and fit (P<.05). Nonetheless, the dimensional accuracy and fit of the specimens printed at 70°C were clinically acceptable. The fracture load of the 3-unit FDPs depended significantly on the printing temperature.

Conclusions: The dimensional accuracy and fracture load of the 70°C group were acceptable for FDP fabrication. Thus, the temperature of 70°C without postprocessing may help make the procedure more efficient.