Document Type : Original articles
Authors
1
Thaimoogambigai dental college
2
Thai Moogambigai Dental College & Hospital Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute,
10.21608/asdj.2025.365518.1908
Abstract
Aim: Digital technology has had a profound impact on the field of dentistry, particularly with the emergence of 3D printing as a groundbreaking method for producing dental prostheses. This innovative technology enables the precise, personalized, and fast fabrication of various dental components, including denture teeth. It is essential to assess the mechanical properties, such as flexural strength and elastic modulus, of 3D-printed denture teeth to guarantee their dependability and functionality in real-world clinical environments.
Materials and methods: This in-vitro study evaluated the flexural strength, elastic modulus, and retention force of 3D-printed denture teeth made from FLSGAMO1 resin with slice thicknesses of 25, 50, 75, and 100 microns. A total of 112 samples (28 per group) were fabricated under rigorously calibrated conditions. Mechanical testing was conducted using a Universal Testing Machine to assess flexural strength and elastic modulus, while retention force was estimated based on shear strength (60% of flexural strength) and a bonded contact area of 150 mm². ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests were used for statistical analysis, revealing no significant differences (p > 0.05) among thickness groups, suggesting consistent mechanical performance and retention force across all tested variations.
Results: The study found no statistically significant differences in flexural strength, elastic modulus, or retention force among the different slice thickness groups (p > 0.05). Both MANOVA and ANOVA analyses confirmed that variations in slice thickness did not significantly impact these mechanical properties, indicating consistent performance across all groups. Retention force estimates revealed that 25 µm and 75 µm thicknesses exhibited higher retention forces (4562.1 N and 4510.8 N, respectively), while 50 µm and 100 µm thicknesses had lower values (3159.0 N and 3668.4 N, respectively). These findings suggest that thinner slice thicknesses (25 µm and 75 µm) may enhance retention forces due to better surface adaptation and bonding, which could contribute to improved mechanical interlocking and overall prosthetic stability.
Conclusion: This study confirms that 3D-printed denture teeth exhibit consistent mechanical properties, including flexural strength, elastic modulus, and retention force, regardless of slice thickness. These findings support 3D printing as a viable alternative for fabricating customized and durable dental prosthetics. Future research should explore material enhancements and post-processing modifications to optimize mechanical properties.
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