Effects of different 3Y‐TZP nanoparticle concentrations on reinforcing mechanical properties of 3D‐printed resin using stereolithography technology

Abstract

PurposeTo evaluate the impact of varying concentrations of 3 mol% yttria‐stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline ceramic (3Y‐TZP) nanoparticles on mechanical properties of three‐dimensional (3D)‐printed resins in stereolithography (SLA) technology.Materials and MethodsA total of four groups (n = 6) of specimens were printed. Pure 3D‐printed resin was used as the control group (0 wt%). For the experimental groups, modified 3Y‐TZP nanoparticles were dispersed into 3D‐printed resin at 1, 3, and 5 wt% concentrations to fabricate nanocomposites. Mechanical tests, including degree of conversion (DC), flexural strength, flexural modulus, fractography, and hardness, were evaluated and analyzed by one‐way analysis of variance followed by the Games–Howell post‐hoc test or Tukey post‐hoc test (α = 0.05).ResultsThe DC of the control group showed the lowest value (p < 0.0001). The DC values peaked at the 5 wt% group, with no significant difference between the 3 wt% group. The flexural strength and modulus of the experimental groups were significantly higher than those in the control group. The addition of 1 and 3 wt% 3Y‐TZP nanoparticles significantly improved the flexural strength and modulus (p < 0.05), while 5 wt% resulted in a significant decrease. The 1 wt% group showed the lowest hardness value. Maximum hardness value was observed in the 3 wt% group (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the control and 5 wt% groups (p = 0.428).ConclusionOptimal mechanical properties were obtained with the 3 wt% group, indicating its potential as a dental material in clinical application.