Shear bond strength of ultraviolet-polymerized resin to 3D-printed denture materials: Effects of post-polymerization, surface treatments, and thermocycling

Abstract

The advent of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) technologies has revolutionized the fabrication of complete dentures [1]. Digital dentures provide numerous advantages, including saving patient data, shorter treatment times, better retention, improved mechanical properties, and simplified laboratory procedures [2][3][4][5][6]. The integration of CAD-CAM technology into denture fabrication has resulted in more precise and efficient fabrication processes, significantly transforming the field [7,8].In the relatively long history of CAD-CAM technologies in dentistry, the first attempt to fabricate digital complete dentures was reported in 1994 [9]. Currently, two main processes are used in the fabrication of digital complete dentures: (i) a subtractive approach that includes milling and grinding, and (ii) an additive manufacturing approach, often referred to as three-dimensional (3D) printing[10]. In the subtractive manufacturing process, the denture base is milled from a large pre-polymerized resin block. In general, artificial denture teeth are manually bonded to the denture base after milling [11,12]. Milled PMMA polymerized under high pressure and temperature exhibits excellent flexural properties, surface roughness, and hard-J Prosthodont Res. 2024; **(**): ****-****