Comparison of Mechanical Properties of 3D‐Printed, CAD/CAM, and Conventional Denture Base Materials

Abstract

PurposeTo evaluate and compare the mechanical properties (flexural strength and surface hardness) of different materials and technologies for denture base fabrication. The study emphasized the digital technologies of computer‐aided design/computer‐aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and three‐dimensional (3D) printing.Materials and MethodsA total of 160 rectangular specimens were fabricated from three conventional heat‐polymerized (ProBase Hot, Paladon 65, and Interacryl Hot), three CAD/CAM produced (IvoBase CAD, Interdent CC disc PMMA, and Polident CAD/CAM disc), one 3D‐printed (NextDent Base), and one polyamide material (Vertex ThermoSens) for denture base fabrication. The flexural strength test was the three‐point flexure test, while hardness testing was conducted using the Brinell method. The data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics (α = 0.05).ResultsDuring flexural testing, the IvoBase CAD and Vertex ThermoSens specimens did not fracture during loading. The flexural strength values of the other groups ranged from 71.7 ± 7.4 MPa to 111.9 ± 4.3 MPa. The surface hardness values ranged from 67.13 ± 10.64 MPa to 145.66 ± 2.22 MPa. There were significant differences between the tested materials for both flexural strength and surface hardness. There were also differences between some materials with the same polymerization type. CAD/CAM and polyamide materials had the highest flexural strength values. Two groups of CAD/CAM materials had the highest surface hardness values, while a third, along with the polyamide material, had the lowest. The 3D‐printed materials had the lowest flexural strength values.ConclusionsGenerally, CAD/CAM materials show better mechanical properties than heat‐polymerized and 3D‐printed acrylics do. Nevertheless, a material's polymerization type is no guarantee of its optimal mechanical properties.

3D printed complete removable dental prostheses: a narrative review

“…In a study on the evaluation of flexure strength and surface properties of prepolymerized CAD/CAM PMMA based polymers, used for digital 3D printed complete dentures, the flexural strength (FS), and hydrophobicity of PMMA-based CAD/CAM polymers was higher in the CAD/CAM PMMA-based polymers compared to the conventional heat-polymerized PMMA, whereas the CAD/CAM PMMA-based polymers had similar surface roughness values to the conventional PMMA [24]. Similar results with regards to high flexural strength of milled resins are found in recent studies [25,26]. Specifically, Prpić et al [26] compared flexural strength and surface hardness between three CAD/ CAM milled (IvoBase CAD, Interdent CC disc PMMA, and Polident CAD/CAM disc), one 3D-printed (Next-Dent Base), and one polyamide material (Vertex Ther-moSens) for denture base fabrication.…”

“…Similar results with regards to high flexural strength of milled resins are found in recent studies [25,26]. Specifically, Prpić et al [26] compared flexural strength and surface hardness between three CAD/ CAM milled (IvoBase CAD, Interdent CC disc PMMA, and Polident CAD/CAM disc), one 3D-printed (Next-Dent Base), and one polyamide material (Vertex Ther-moSens) for denture base fabrication. The 3DP resin had statistically significant lower flexural strength than the other materials tested with a range of 60-85 MPa.…”

Digital Immediate Complete Denture for a Patient with Rhabdomyosarcoma: A Clinical Report

“…It is also very important to follow manufacturer's recommendations for the chosen materials that have been validated for the compatible 3D printers to ensure accuracy. Additionally, current 3D printed resins may have inferior mechanical properties, 3,25 and their the longevity and color stability of the resins used for printed complete dentures need further clinical study 26 . However, it is very convenient to fabricate a second printed complete denture whenever needed.…”

Studies on the Mechanical Parameters of Denture Base Acrylic Resins

“…Testing the mechanical properties of the denture base resins it is an important issue. Flexural strength is useful in order to compare denture base materials because it reflects the complex stresses applied to the denture during mastication and it indicates the materials' rigidity [9,10].…”

“…The materials frequently used for partial and full dentures are acrylic resins, offering these prosthetic constructions sufficient strength and a proper aesthetic appearance [8][9][10][11][12].…”