Torque Mechanical Evaluation for 3D Printed Orthodontic Springs with Different Parameters: Invitro Study

Abstract

Background: The purpose of the presented investigation is to evaluate the resulting torque on loaded 3D printed springs using different coil thickness and length. Methods: Specimens were designed and printed using the 3D printer MAX (Asiga, Sydney, Australia) with 3D printable, experimental, flexible material (Code:BM2008, GC, Tokyo, Japan). The specimens were divided into three groups according to spring coil design. Control group (n=18), length group (n=19) and thickness group (n=22). Groups were tested using a Sauter Machine for torque calculation (DB, Grindelwald, Switzerland) in conjunction with a universal testing machine (Zwick Z010, Ulm, Germany) for clock-wise and anti-clockwise testing. Statistical analysis was performed using the Steel-Dwass test to compare median values of the three groups in both testing directions (p<0.001). Results: The highest torque value was determined in the thickness group for both clockwise and anti-clockwise testing directions, achieving 44.00N/mm and 39.62N/mm respectively. For the thickness group values ranged from 21.28N/mm anti-clockwise to 44.00N/mm clockwise. The length group ranged from 21.65N/mm to 11.04N/mm in clockwise direction and from 18.04N/mm to 11.38N/mm in counter-clockwise testing. The control group ranged from 22.72N/mm to 17.18N/mm in the clock-wise direction while in the anti-clock wise testing it ranged from 21.34N/mm to 16.02N/mm. Conclusions: 3D printed springs are being affected by diameter than length as a design parameter compared to the control group. The thickness group values are statistically significant than the length group (P<0.001). Key words: CAD/CAM, 3D printing, Digital Orthodontics, Torque, Springs.

Mechanical compression testing for three-dimensionally printed orthodontic springs with different coil numbers: in vitro study.

“…The control group with 4 coils was selected referring to a study conducted by Othman et al who found that comparing between the conventional laboratory fabricated springs with the CAD/CAM methods had a significant difference for material as well as design comparing compression to force ratio. The design with 4 coil numbers and variable wire thickness directly affects the mechanical properties for printable orthodontic resins and exhibit that CAD/CAM orthodontic springs can be printed and mechanically tested in order to bring out a new treatment possibility in orthodontics using the 4 coils springs design [15].…”