Mechanical Properties of Novel 3D-Printed Restorative Materials for Definitive Dental Applications
Moritz Hoffmann, Andrea Coldea, Bogna Stawarczyk
Abstract
The aim of this study is to evaluate the mechanical properties and long-term stability of 3D-printable resins for permanent fixed dental prostheses (FDPs), focusing on whether material performance is influenced by 3D-printer type or by differences in resin formulations. Specimens (N = 621) were printed. CAD/CAM blocks (BRILLIANT Crios) served as control. Flexural strength (FS) with elastic modulus (E_calc), Weibull modulus (m), Martens' hardness (HM), indentation modulus (EIT), elastic modulus (E_RFDA), shear modulus (G_RFDA), and Poisson's Ratio (ν) were measured initially, after water storage (24 h, 37 °C), and after thermocycling (5-55 °C, 10,000×). SEM analysis assessed microstructure. Data were analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov, ANOVA with Scheffe post hoc, Kruskal-Wallis with Mann-Whitney U, and Weibull statistics with maximum likelihood (α = 0.05). A ceramic crown printed with Midas showed higher FS, HM, and EIT values after thermocycling than with Pro55s, and higher E_calc scores across all aging regimes. A Varseo Smile Crown Plus printed with VarseoXS and AsigaMax showed a higher FS value than TrixPrint2, while AsigaMax achieved the highest initial E_calc and E_RFDA values, and VarseoXS did so after thermocycling. HM, EIT, and G_RFDA were higher for TrixPrint2 and AsigaMax printed specimens, while ν varied by system and aging. 3Delta Crown, printed with AsigaMax, showed the highest FS, E_calc, HM, EIT, and m values after aging. VarseoSmile triniQ and Bridgetec showed the highest E_RFDA and G_RFDA values depending on aging, and Varseo Smile Crown Plus exhibited higher ν initially and post-aging. Printer system and resin formulation significantly influence the mechanical and aging behaviors of 3D-printed FDP materials, underscoring the importance of informed material and printer selection to ensure long-term clinical success.