Comparative Study of the Fracture Resistance of 3D-Printed and Prefabricated Artificial Teeth for Removable Dentures.

The integration of three-dimensional (3D) printed resin denture teeth represents a significant advancement in digital dentistry. This study aims to assess the ability of 3D-printed denture teeth to withstand chipping and indirect tensile fractures, comparing them with conventionally manufactured resin denture teeth. Four groups, each comprising 30 specimens, were examined: Group 1 featured 3D-printed denture teeth (NextDent, 3D Systems, Soesterberg, The Netherlands), while the others included commercially obtained Ivostar Shade, SpofaDent Plus, and Major Super Lux teeth. Stereolithography 3D printing was utilized to produce methacrylate-based photopolymerized resin teeth models for Group 1, while the remaining groups were commercially sourced. Chipping and indirect tensile fracture tests were performed at a rate of 0.8 mm/min until material failure, offering valuable insights into the mechanical properties of the tested denture teeth. Statistical analysis was carried out using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), coupled with Tukey's honestly significant difference test to compare multiple groups, with a significance threshold of < 0.05. The findings showed that 3D-printed resin denture teeth exhibited greater indirect tensile fracture resistance than Major Super Lux and Ivostar Shade, though they were surpassed by SpofaDent Plus. In the chipping test, the 3D-printed teeth experienced buccal chipping without distortion, indicating their structural stability under localized force. Fractures during the indirect tensile test originated near the loading point and extended cervically along the inner slopes of both cusps, displaying consistent fracture patterns. These results demonstrate that 3D-printed denture teeth made from resin materials provide adequate fracture resistance for clinical use, although further refinement of materials could enhance their performance relative to conventional alternatives.