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Printable PICN Composite Mechanically Compatible with Human Teeth
M K Sodeyama1,2, H Ikeda2, Y Nagamatsu2
1Division of Oral Reconstruction and Rehabilitation, Department of Oral Functions, Kyushu Dental University, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan.
Journal of Dental Research
|May 12, 2021
Summary
This study introduces a new 3D-printable polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) composite for dental restorations. The 3D-printed PICN composite demonstrates mechanical properties similar to human teeth, offering a promising alternative to traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Dental Materials Science
- Additive Manufacturing
Background:
- Polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) composites offer mechanical compatibility with human enamel, making them suitable for dental restorations.
- Current fabrication methods for PICN composites rely on computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) milling, with limited success in 3D printing.
- Developing 3D-printable PICN composites is crucial for advancing dental restorative material fabrication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel 3D-printable polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) composite for dental restorative applications.
- To characterize the microstructure, mechanical properties, and physicochemical properties of the 3D-printed PICN composite.
- To evaluate the potential of the 3D-printed PICN composite as a viable alternative to CAD/CAM milled materials.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a 3D-printable precursor slurry with a high concentration of silica nanoparticles.
- Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing of the precursor slurry.
- Sintering to create a nano-porous ceramic skeleton, followed by resin monomer infiltration and polymerization.
- Characterization of mechanical properties (Vickers hardness, elastic modulus, flexural strength), microstructure, inorganic content, physicochemical properties, and shrinkage.
Main Results:
- A nano-sized dual-network structure of silica skeleton with infiltrated resin was achieved in the 3D-printed PICN composites.
- The 3D-printed PICN composite exhibited Vickers hardness similar to enamel and elastic modulus similar to dentin.
- Comparable flexural strength (>100 MPa) to CAD/CAM blocks, acceptable water sorption/solubility, and isotropic shrinkage without deformation were observed.
- The 3D-printed model-crown demonstrated successful fabrication with desirable properties.
Conclusions:
- A 3D-printable PICN composite was successfully developed using SLA and post-processing techniques.
- The developed material exhibits mechanical properties comparable to human dental tissues and existing CAD/CAM materials.
- This 3D-printable PICN composite shows significant potential as an advanced dental restorative material.
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