Evaluation of optical and mechanical properties of crown materials produced by 3D printing.

BACKGROUND

The various advantages of crown materials produced using three-dimensional (3D) printers have increased their use in restorative and prosthetic dentistry in recent years. Accordingly, their optical and mechanical properties have become more important.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the mechanical, surface and optical properties of crown materials produced with 3D printing and computer-aided design (CAD)/computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), which has recently been used frequently in the clinic.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The 3-point bending test was used to evaluate the mechanical properties of 2 different crown materials produced with 3D printing (Permanent Crown and VarseoSmile Crown Plus) and a crown material produced using CAD/CAM (Vita Enamic). After the initial color and surface roughness measurements were made, the specimens were immersed in 4 different solutions.

RESULTS

The most translucent material was VarseoSmile Crown Plus (p < 0.05). In all specimens, coffee caused the most discoloration (p < 0.05). The effects of the solutions on the roughness were mostly observed in Permanent Crown specimens (p < 0.05). Vita Enamic showed the highest statistically significant values in terms of flexural strength (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The stereolithographic technique among the materials produced by 3D printing can be recommended for use in restorations due to its higher flexural strength.