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Three-dimensionally printed versus conventional heat-polymerized PMMA denture base properties: A systematic review
Husam Altalla1, Osayd Alawawda1, Funda Bayindir2
1PhD Candidate, Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
Statement Of Problem:
Heat-polymerized polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) has a long history of clinical success and remains the standard for denture base materials because of its favorable handling, cost-effectiveness, and biocompatibility. Nonetheless, concerns regarding water sorption, surface roughness, and mechanical strength persist. With the advent of digitally assisted dentistry, 3-dimensional (3D) printing offers an alternative method of fabrication; however, the mechanical and surface properties of these newer materials require evaluation to determine clinical suitability.
Purpose:
The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the water sorption, solubility, elastic modulus, and surface roughness of 3D printed denture base materials with conventional heat-polymerized PMMA and to determine whether 3D printed resins offer comparable performance for denture fabrication.
Material And Methods:
A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies published between January 2015 and January 2025 that provided quantitative comparisons between 3D printed denture base resins and conventional heat-polymerized PMMA were included. The extracted data were statistically analyzed using the RevMan Web software with a random-effects model. The standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was used to assess property differences (α=.05). Risk of bias was evaluated by using a validated tool for in vitro studies.
Results:
Twenty in vitro studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis showed no statistically significant differences in water sorption (P=.81), solubility (P=.21), or surface roughness (P=.08) between 3D printed and conventional PMMA. However, conventional PMMA exhibited a significantly higher elastic modulus than 3D printed materials (P=.04), indicating greater stiffness and structural support.
Conclusions:
Three-dimensionally printed denture base materials showed similar water sorption and solubility to conventional PMMA, with slightly higher, but acceptable, surface roughness. Conventional PMMA exhibited better elastic modulus. Variability in results suggested a need for the standardization of 3D printing materials and protocols.
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