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Evaluation of physicomechanical properties of milled versus 3D-printed denture base resins: A comparative in vitro study

J Prosthet Dent. 2023 May;129(5):797.e1-797.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.prosdent.2023.03.017.

ABSTRACT

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Studies comparing the physicomechanical characteristics of denture base resins manufactured by computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) milling and 3-dimensional (3D) printing are sparse, resulting in challenges when choosing a fabrication method for complete dentures.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the impact strength, flexural strength, and the surface roughness of denture base resins manufactured by CAD-CAM milling and 3D printing before and after thermocycling and polishing.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Evaluation of the physicomechanical properties (n=35) was completed before and after 500 thermocycles. Impact strength (n=14) was measured with a Charpy impact tester and flexural strength (n=14) with the 3-point bend test. Surface roughness (Ra) was evaluated (n=7) with a profilometer before and after thermocycling and polishing and by viewing the surface topography before and after polishing using a scanning electron microscope at ×2000. The Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon sign rank test were used for statistical analysis (α=.05).

RESULTS: Milled specimens showed statistically significantly higher impact strength before thermocycling and statistically significantly higher flexural strength before and after thermocycling (P=.004) compared with 3D-printed specimens. The Ra values for the milled group were significantly lower than for the 3D-printed group both before and after thermocycling (P=.006) and after polishing (P=.027). Thermocycling resulted in a statistically significant difference in flexural strength (P=.018) in both groups and in surface roughness in the milled group (P=.048); but no significant effect was found on impact strength (P>.05). Ra values for the 3D-printed group decreased after polishing (P=.048).

CONCLUSIONS: Milled specimens had higher flexural and impact strength and lower surface roughness values than 3D-printed specimens. Polishing significantly reduced the surface roughness in 3D-printed specimens but had no significant effect on milled specimens.

PMID:37121625 | DOI:10.1016/j.prosdent.2023.03.017

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