Evaluation of the Effect of Different Construction Techniques of CAD-CAM Milled, 3D-Printed, and Polyamide Denture Base Resins on Flexural Strength: An In Vitro Comparative Study.

PURPOSE

To compare the flexural strength of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) milled denture base resin (DBR), 3D-printed DBR, polyamide, and conventional compression-molded DBR.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Six denture base resins were used, one conventional heat-polymerized (Vertex), two milled CAD-CAM (AvaDent and Polident), two 3D-printed (Harz and NextDent), and one flexible polyamide (Polyamide). According to ISO 20795-1:2013, 60 specimens (65×10×3 mm) were constructed and divided into six groups (n = 10), according to DBR type. The flexural strength was measured using a universal testing machine and three-point loading test. Data were collected and analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's pair-wise post hoc tests (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

One-way ANOVA results showed significant differences in flexural strengths between the tested DBRs (p˂0.001). Milled denture base resins (AvaDent and Polident) had significantly higher flexural strength values than the other groups (p˂0.001) and were followed by Vertex and NextDent, while Polyamide and Harz had the lowest values. Polyamide and Harz denture base resins had significantly lower flexural strength values than conventional denture base resin (p˂0.001).

CONCLUSION

CAD-CAM milled DBRs showed the highest flexural strength when compared with conventional compression-molded or 3D-printed DBRs, while 3D-printed DBRs and polyamide showed the lowest flexural strengths.