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Published on: December 20, 2024
Fatigue Survival of Lithium Disilicate, 3D-Printed Composite, and Injection-Molded Direct Composite Veneers
Silvia Rojas-Rueda1,2, Augusto A Robles3, Emerson Martins3
1Department of Clinical and Community Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
Summary
Lithium disilicate veneers exhibit superior fatigue resistance compared to resin composites. Injection-molded direct resin composites offer a more durable and repairable alternative to 3D-printed options for anterior veneers.
Area of Science:
- Dental Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Restorative Dentistry
Background:
- Veneer restorations are crucial for anterior aesthetics and function.
- Evaluating the fatigue performance of novel restorative materials is essential for clinical longevity.
- Lithium disilicate, 3D-printed resin composite, and direct resin composite represent different fabrication approaches for veneers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the fatigue performance of veneers fabricated from lithium disilicate, 3D-printed resin composite, and injection-molded direct resin composite.
- To assess the survival rates and failure modes of these veneer materials under cyclic loading.
Main Methods:
- Thirty human maxillary central incisors were prepared for veneers (n=10 per group).
- Veneers were fabricated using CAD/CAM (lithium disilicate), additive manufacturing (3D-printed resin composite), or injection molding (direct composite).
- Specimens underwent thermocycling and cyclic fatigue loading (1,000,000 cycles) before survival analysis.
Main Results:
- Lithium disilicate demonstrated the highest fatigue performance (80% survival at 1,000,000 cycles).
- Direct resin composite showed intermediate performance (mean survival: 460,453 cycles), while 3D-printed resin composite had the lowest (mean survival: 134,878 cycles).
- Failure modes differed, with lithium disilicate showing debonding and direct composite exhibiting repairable incisal fractures.
Conclusions:
- Lithium disilicate offers superior fatigue resistance for anterior veneers compared to resin-based materials.
- Injection-molded direct resin composite provides better fatigue performance and potentially repairable fractures than 3D-printed resin composite.
- While lithium disilicate is the most durable, direct composites present a cost-effective option with favorable failure characteristics.
