The Influence of Printing Layer Thickness and Orientation on the Mechanical Properties of DLP 3D-Printed Dental Resin

Abstract

Technological advances are closely related to the development of new materials and their processing and manufacturing technologies. In the dental field, the high complexity of the geometrical designs of crowns, bridges and other applications of digital light processing 3D-printable biocompatible resins is the reason for the need for a deep understanding of the mechanical proprieties and behavior of these materials. The aim of the present study is to assess the influence of printing layer direction and thickness on the tensile and compression proprieties of a DLP 3D-printable dental resin. Using the NextDent C&B Micro-Filled Hybrid (MFH), 36 specimens (24 for tensile strength testing, 12 for compression testing) were printed at different layer angulations (0°, 45° and 90°) and layer thicknesses (0.1 mm and 0.05 mm). Brittle behavior was observed in all specimens regardless of the direction of printing and layer thickness for the tensile specimens. The highest tensile values were obtained for specimens printed with a layer thickness of 0.05 mm. In conclusion, both printing layer direction and thickness influence mechanical proprieties and can be used to alter the materials’ characteristics and make the final printed product more suitable for its intended purposes.

Comparison of the Flexural Strength of Three Different Aged and Nonaged 3D-Printed Permanent Crown Resins

“…The fabrication method and printing layer thickness also affect the properties of a 3D-printed specimen. 7,18,19 The present samples were fabricated according to the manufacturer's recommendations, and with a layer thickness of 50 µm. According to the manufacturers, a postcuring procedure (15 to 30 minutes) must be implemented for 3D-printed resins via a UV lightbox to decrease the amount of residual monomer.…”

Additive Manufacturing Technologies: Where Did We Start and Where Have We Landed? A Narrative Review

“…62 Build orientation and layer thickness are interrelated, and their influence on the printed parts has been extensively studied in the literature. 17,18,54,[63][64][65][66][67] During AM, no absolute single orientation is recommended. Rather, it must be a conscious exercise to examine the effects of a particular print orientation/direction on a printed part and the intended clinical use of that part.…”

Design and Utilization of a 3D printed Tooth-Borne Orthodontic Molar Distalizer Library

“…Digital bio-compatible Additive Manufacturing (AM), brings 3D printing and manufacturing closer to a orthodontic practice, and allows for manufacturing of distalizers, power-arms, retainers and other perceivable orthodontic auxiliaries [14,17,18,21].…”

“…In recent years 3D printing technology endured significant technological improvements [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Whereas SLA, DLP and LCD based 3D printers improved [6,7,[10][11][12][13][14], 3D printing resins proved to be bio-compatible [3,9,12,[14][15][16][17][18] and being able to endure masticatory forces [5,8,11,14,[18][19][20]. This enabled orthodontists to set up their own 3D lab and design and print a variety of orthodontic appliances [3,9,17,[21][22][23].…”