Development of 3D printed resin reinforced with modified ZrO₂ nanoparticles for long-term provisional dental...

To characterize and investigate efficacy of loading functionalized ZrO₂ nanoparticles in 3-dimensional (3D) printed acrylate ester-based resin subjected to accelerated aging in artificial saliva. As well as to evaluate the effect of ZrO₂ nanoparticle volume fraction addition on mechanical and physical properties of printed composite.

Functionalized ZrO₂ nanoparticles were characterized using TEM and Raman spectroscopy. 3D printed dental resin was reinforced, with ZrO₂ nanoparticles, in the concentration range (0-5wt.%). The resulted nanocomposites, in term of structure and physical/mechanical properties were evaluated using different mechanical testing, microscopic and spectroscopic techniques.

ZrO₂ based nanocomposite was successful and formed composites were more ductile. Degree of conversion was significant at the highest level with blank resin and 1wt.%. Sorption revealed reduction associated with volume fraction significant to neat resin, however solubility indicated neat and 4wt.% had the lowest significant dissolution. Vickers represented critical positive correlation with filler content, while nanohardness and elasticity behaved symmetrically and had the maximum strength at 3wt.% addition. In addition, 3wt.% showed the highest fracture toughness and modulus. Improvement of flexural strength was significantly linked to filler concentration. Overall properties dramatically were enhanced after 3 months aging in artificial saliva, especially degree of conversion, microhardness, nanoindentation/elasticity, and flexural modulus. However, significant reduction was observed with flexural modulus and fracture toughness.

The outcomes suggest that the newly developed 3D printed nanocomposites modified with ZrO₂ nanoparticle have the superior potential and efficacy as long-term provisional dental restoration materials.