A Novel 3D-Printing Model Resin with Low Volumetric Shrinkage and High Accuracy

This study aims to assess and compare the shrinkage, accuracy, and accuracy stability of a novel 3D-printing model resin and eight commercially available 3D-printing model resin materials. The experimental model resin was developed by our 3D-printing proprietary resin technology. Eight commercially available 3D-printing model resins were included for comparison. The AcuVol video imaging technique was used to test volumetric shrinkage. Full-arch tooth models were printed for each model resin via digital light processing (DLP) technology. The 3D average distance between the scanned model and the designed CAD digital file was applied to determine the dimensional accuracy of the 3D-printed full-arch tooth models. One-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test (p < 0.05) were utilized to analyze the average values of volumetric shrinkage and 3D average distance (dimensional accuracy). The experimental model resin showed significantly lower volumetric shrinkage (7.28%) and significantly higher or higher accuracy and accuracy stability (11.66-13.77 µm from the initial day to four weeks) than the other commercially available model resins (7.66-11.2%, 14.03-41.14 µm from the initial day to four weeks). A strong correlation was observed between volumetric shrinkage and dimensional accuracy (Pearson correlation coefficient R = 0.7485). For clinically successful modelling applications in restorations, orthodontics, implants, and so on, the new 3D-printing model resin is a promising option.