Comparison of mechanical and surface properties of two 3D printed composite resins for definitive restoration

Additive manufacturing (AM) technology is emerging as an innovative approach in the dental field. In recent years, manufacturers have introduced 3-dimensionally printed composite resins (3D-CRs) that are specifically designed for the AM of definitive prostheses; however, the mechanical and surface properties of these materials require investigation.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to assess and compare the mechanical and surface properties of 2 commercially available 3D-CRs for definitive restoration after artificial aging.

Saremco print Crowntec; Saremco Dental AG and Varseo Smile Crown Plus; Bego GmbH were printed with a layer thickness of 50 µm at a 90-degree angle. A total of 20 bar-shaped specimens (25×2×2 mm) were produced from each material to measure the flexural strength (σf) and elastic modulus (E) using a 3-point bend test, and 5 disk-shaped specimens (Ø15×3 mm) from each material were used to measure the surface microhardness using a microhardness test. Half of the specimens were tested under dry conditions, while the other half were immersed in distilled water for 30 days. Five disk-shaped specimens (Ø15×3 mm) from each material were used to evaluate surface roughness before and after undergoing toothbrushing simulations. Additionally, 5 disk-shaped specimens (Ø15×1 mm) were used to assess water sorption (w_sp) and solubility (w_sl) over 28 days. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test (1-tailed) with 90% power (α=.05).

The mean ±standard deviation flexural strength values were 123.4 ±8.7 MPa for Saremco print Crowntec and 109.9 ±15.8 MPa for Varseo Smile Crown Plus. After aging, these values were 97.5 ±15.2 MPa for Saremco print Crowntec and 94.2 ±11.7 MPa for Varseo Smile Crown Plus. The mean Vickers hardness values were 33.2 ±0.8 N/mm² for Saremco print Crowntec and 31.5 ±0.6 N/mm² for Varseo Smile Crown Plus. After aging, the mean values were 31.7 ±0.9 N/mm² for Saremco print Crowntec and 29.6 ±1.0 N/mm² for Varseo Smile Crown Plus. The mean modulus of elasticity was 4.2 ±0.3 GPa for Saremco print Crowntec and 3.82 ±0.2 GPa for Varseo Smile Crown Plus. After 21 days, the mean sorption values were 11.52 ±0.6 mg/mm³ for Saremco print Crowntec and 12.43 ±0.4 mg/mm³ for Varseo Smile Crown Plus. After 28 days, the mean solubility values were 1.36 ±0.4 mg/mm³ for Saremco print Crowntec and 0.98 ±0.3 mg/mm³ for Varseo Smile Crown Plus. Significant differences were found between the 2 3D-CRs in flexural strength in the dry state (P=.03), in Young modulus after 30 days of water immersion (P=.023), and in Vickers hardness in the dry state (P=.01) and after 30 days of water immersion (P=.018).

Both 3D-CRs provided good in vitro performance and the mechanical properties required for long-term clinical application. Artificial aging decreased the flexural strength of both 3D-CRs.