Effect of Different Filler Contents and Printing Directions on the Mechanical Properties for Photopolymer Resins

Abstract

Photopolymer resins are widely used in the production of dental prostheses, but their mechanical properties require improvement. We evaluated the effects of different zirconia filler contents and printing directions on the mechanical properties of photopolymer resin. Three-dimensional (3D) printing was used to fabricate specimens using composite photopolymers with 0 (control), 3, 5, and 10 wt.% zirconia filler. Two printing directions for fabricating rectangular specimens (25 mm× 2 mm× 2 mm) and disk-shaped specimens (φ10 mm× 2 mm) were used, 0° and 90°. Three-point bending tests were performed to determine the flexural strengths and moduli of the specimens. The Vickers hardness test was performed to determine the hardness of the specimens. Tukey’s multiple comparison tests were performed on the average values of the flexural strengths, elastic moduli, and Vickers hardness after one-way ANOVA (α = 0.05). The flexural strengths and elastic moduli at 0° from high to low were in the order of 0, 3, 10, and 5 wt.%, and those at 90° were in the order of 3, 0, 10, and 5 wt.% (p < 0.05). For 5 and 10 wt.%, no significant differences were observed in mechanical properties at 0° and 90° (p < 0.05). The Vickers hardness values at 0° and 90° from low to high were in the order of 0, 3, 5, and 10 wt.% (p < 0.05). Within the limits of this study, the optimal zirconia filler content in the photopolymer resin for 3D printing was 0 wt.% at 0° and 3 wt.% at 90°.

3D-Printed Nanocomposite Denture-Base Resins: Effect of ZrO2 Nanoparticles on the Mechanical and Surface Properties In Vitro

“…Many factors could lead to increased flexural strength, such as size, shape, concentration of filler, homogenous distribution within resin matrix, and the silanization process [ 17 ]. A previous study showed [ 39 ] ZrO 2 NPs added in different concentrations (3, 5, and 10 wt.%) and stated that as the concentrations increased the flexural strength increased up to 5% then an insignificant decrease occurred as the concentration increased up to 10%. The increase in flexural strength with ZrO 2 NP-modified ASIGA was concentration-dependent; as the concentrations increased, the flexural strength increased in ASIGA resin while in NextDent the highest was reported with 1%, without a significant difference in the 3 and 5% groups.…”

“…ZrO 2 NPs could be a suitable reinforcement method for 3D printing material [ 39 ]. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous studies have investigated the effect of the addition of ZrO 2 NPs on the properties of 3D-printed resins for denture-base fabrication.…”

Influence of ZrO2 Nanoparticle Addition on the Optical Properties of Denture Base Materials Fabricated Using Additive Technologies

“…ZrO 2 is a biocompatible metal oxide with superior surface hardness, strength, and fracture toughness [ 51 , 52 ]. ZrO 2 NPs have been demonstrated as a suitable reinforcing material for 3D-printed PMMA [ 53 ]. Furthermore, ZrO 2 has thermal stability, corrosion resistance, and antibacterial and antifungal effects on Aspergillus niger and C. albicans [ 39 , 54 , 55 ].…”

Effect of Particle Sizes and Contents of Surface Pre-Reacted Glass Ionomer Filler on Mechanical Properties of Auto-Polymerizing Resin

“…Notably, the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin has been widely used as a material for dentures and temporary crowns. Three-dimensional printing has also been used in the dental field, and new dental materials, such as photopolymers, have been employed [ 18 ]. However, the mechanical properties of photopolymers alone are inadequate; hence, satisfying the requirements of ISO standards is difficult.…”