Biomimetic ceramic-resin dental restorations with graded TPMS structures

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Dental Materials
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• Natural teeth exhibit complex graded structures and composite compositions, inspiring biomimetic dental restorations.
• Current ceramic-resin interpenetrating phase composites (IPCs) mimic composition but lack graded architectures, limiting mechanical emulation of natural teeth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and fabricate biomimetic dental crowns using graded triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures.
• To investigate the mechanical and tribological performance of IPCs with varying porosity gradients and architectures.

Main Methods:

• 3D printing of zirconia scaffolds with longitudinally graded and dual-graded (radial and longitudinal) Schwarz-P and Gyroid TPMS architectures.
• Infiltration of printed scaffolds with resin to create ceramic-resin IPCs.
• Mechanical testing (compressive strength, elastic modulus, energy absorption) and tribological testing (wear resistance).

Main Results:

• Dual-graded structures demonstrated superior compressive strength, elastic modulus, energy absorption, and wear resistance compared to longitudinally graded and uniform structures.
• Gyroid architectures showed higher energy absorption, while Schwarz-P architectures exhibited higher elastic modulus and wear resistance.
• Tailored crown designs for incisors (longitudinally graded Gyroid) and molars (dual-graded Schwarz-P) were proposed based on biomechanical demands.

Conclusions:

• The proposed TPMS-based gradient design strategy is feasible for creating customized, high-performance biomimetic dental restorations.
• Graded porosity and architecture significantly influence the mechanical and tribological properties of ceramic-resin IPCs.
• This approach offers a pathway to emulate the gradient-dependent mechanical behavior of natural teeth in dental prosthetics.