Monomer release from surgical guide resins manufactured with different 3D printing devices

The aim of this study was to assess the post curing monomer release of resins applicable for 3D printing of surgical implant guides in dependency of printing technique and storing media using high performance liquidchromatography.

Specimens of Nextdent SG, Freeprint Splint, Fotodent Guide, 3Delta Guide, and V-print SG (n = 4) were additively manufactured with the corresponding DLP/SLA printing devices (Rapidshape D20II, Form2, Solflex350). Postprocessing was done according to the manufacturer's specifications. Subsequently, samples were eluted in methanol and water for 3 days and analyzed with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS).

A total of twelve different substances released from the tested resin materials. The highest eluted concentration for MMA in methanol was 20.27 ± 8.60 μg/mL followed by 12.66 ± 3.38 μg/mL of HPMA. HEMA was found at concentration of 11.17 ± 2.43 μg/mL in methanol and 1.15 ± 0.11 μg/mL in water. TPGDA and TEGDMA reached maximum concentration in methanol of 4.29 ± 0.54 μg/mL and 5.07 ± 0.93 μg/mL and in water of 0.79 ± 0.19 μg/mL and 0.36 ± 0.14 μg/mL, respectively. Significant difference was found for the material Nextdent SG manufactured on SLA and DLP printing device for THFMA (p = 0.041), TEGDMA (p = 0.026), TPGDA (p = 0.05) and EGDMA (p = 0.06). The amount of monomers released into water did not reach the detection threshold for V-print SG.

The study revealed significant influence of the printing technique and resin material on the elution of monomers. The elution in methanol and water was significantly different. While the relative amount of eluted monomers from 3D printed guides is comparable to conventional direct composites and below toxic relevant concentrations, the absolute amount of monomer can rise in a clinic situation due to the size of the guides.