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ABSTRACT
Statement of problem. The mechanical strength of 3-dimensionally (3D) printed interim resins is unclear but influenced by printing
parameters. Evidence regarding standardization of the postpolymerization type and time for 3D-printed interim resins is sparse.
Purpose. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of postpolymerization type and time on flexural strength and
dimensional stability of 3D-printed resins for interim restorations.
Material and methods. A total of 288 bars were 3D printed (Form 2; Formlabs, stereolithography—SLA, 50 µm, 30 degrees), (25×2×2 mm;
International Organization for Standardization—ISO 4049:2019) abraded and randomly divided into 9 groups (n=30) according to
postpolymerization (Ultraviolet device—UV; Microwave with water—MWA; Microwave without water—MW) and time (15, 20, and
30 minutes for UV; and 5, 8, and 10 minutes for MW and MWA). Each bar was then measured with digital calipers at 11 points for length,
thickness, and width before and after postpolymerization to analyze dimensional stability. The flexural strength was then measured
(σ; 980.6 N, 1 mm/minute) and the fractured surfaces were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy. The σ (MPa) data were evaluated
by using a 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) pairwise comparisons test (α=.05).
Dimensional stability data (mm) were analyzed by using the Kruskal-Wallis test and Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner multiple comparisons.
The Weibull analysis was performed with σ data.
Results. The 2-way ANOVA revealed that all factors and their interaction were significant for σ (P<.001). The UV groups presented the
highest σ values, being statistically higher than all MW and MWA groups. The Weibull analysis revealed that postpolymerization UV groups
found the highest values regarding the characteristic strength, although the MW 8-minute group (13.71) found the highest value for the
Weibull modulus. Furthermore, the Kruskal-Wallis test revealed that only the postpolymerization factor was significant for dimensional
stability (P<.001). The postpolymerization microwave groups found greater expansion variations at all times, with the MW 8-minute group
(0.78 ±0.54) presenting the greatest variation in dimensional stability.
Conclusions. UV was determined to be the most suitable type of postpolymerization for interim printed resin among the
postpolymerization methods, regardless of the application time. The postpolymerization MW groups found greater variations in
dimensional stability. (J Prosthet Dent xxxx;xxx:xxx-xxx)
Presented at the Brazilian Society for Research in Dentistry (SBPQO), Annual Meeting, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, September 2022.
Funding: Supported in part by the Coordination for the Development of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) (finance code 001), Brazil. Materials used in study were
provided by Oral Way Laboratory (Natal/RN, Brazil) and Yller (Pelotas/RS, Brazil).
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this article.
a
Researcher, Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brazil.
b
PhD student, Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brazil.
c
Professor, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo, Brazil.
d
Researcher, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo, Brazil.
e
Professor, Department of Dentistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brazil.
Specimen 288 3D-printed bars (26 × 2 × 2 mm) using stereolithography (SLA) technique -
preparation Angulation: 30 degrees / Thickness 50 µm.
•Ultraviolet Light (UV): Ultraviolet device (Anycubic Wash & Cure Plus; Anycubic,
450 nm, 40 W) for 15, 20, and 30 minutes;
Postpolymerization •Microwave (MN): Microwave (MRAS21: Midea; 700 W) for 5, 8 and 10 minutes;
protocols
•Microwave + water (MWA): Microwave (MRAS21; Midea; 700 W) for 5, 8, and 10
minutes, immersed in water
which expressed the structural homogeneity of the material. and UV 30-minute (11.47) groups presented the highest
The statistical analysis was performed with a software values for the Weibull modulus.
program (Minitab v.17; Minitab Inc) (α=.05). The dimensional stability data did not present
normal distribution (P<.001). The comparison between
the area variation values was significant for the “post
polymerization” factor (P<.001). The multiple Dwass-
RESULTS
Steel-Critchlow-Fligner comparisons for the post
The test power calculated by comparing means was polymerization type revealed that the interaction among
100%. The flexural strength data had a normal and the “MW and MWA” and “MW and UV” groups was
homogeneous distribution (P<.05). Two-way ANOVA significant (P<.001); however, the interaction between
revealed that the “postpolymerization” (P<.001) and the groups “MWA and UV” were not significant
“time” (P<.0001) factors, and the interaction (P<.001) (P=.423). The groups postpolymerized in MW presented
were significant (Table 2). The Tukey test (5%) found the biggest expansions (Fig. 3). Among the groups
that there was no significant difference among all groups submitted to postpolymerization in a microwave oven,
submitted UV for 30 minutes (77.90 ±8.23)A, 15 minutes the MW 8-minute group (0.78 ±0.54) found the greatest
(73.99 ±8.15)A, and 20 minutes (73.80 ±10.18)A, which variation in dimensional stability. Moreover, the MWA
were statistically higher than the other experimental groups presented the lowest expansion values at times
groups (Fig. 2). Among the results of the groups sub of 5 minutes (0.14 ±0.18) and 8 minutes (0.14 ±0.18),
mitted to postpolymerization in a microwave oven, the and there was no significant difference between them.
MW 8-min group (45.58 ±3.84)B obtained higher flex Regarding the ultraviolet postpolymerized groups, the
ural strength when compared with the other times (with UV 15-minute group found greater variation in its di
or without water), with no significant difference among mensions (0.37 ±0.37) when compared with the other
them (Table 3). The Weibull analysis data are shown in UV 20-minute (0.19 ±0.21), and UV 30-minute
Table 2. Characteristic strength (P<.001) and Weibull (0.22 ±0.28) groups, and there was no significant dif
modulus (P<.001) were significantly different. Regarding ference between them (Table 3).
the characteristic strength, the UV 15-minute group The SEM for the fractured surface of 3D-printed resin
presented the highest values. The MW 8-minute (13.71) specimens found that the UV groups (Fig. 4A-C) formed
100
90 A A A
Flexural Strength (MPa)
80
70
60
B
50
40 C C C C
C
30
20
10
0
15 min 20 min 30 min 5 min 8 min 10 min 5 min 8 min 10 min
UV MW MWA
Figure 2. Mean 3-point flexural strength (MPa) and standard deviation of groups according to postpolymerization type and time. Different
uppercase letters indicate statistical difference for flexural strength. MW, microwave; MWA, microwave + water; UV, ultraviolet.
Table 3. Flexural strength (MPa), characteristic strength (σo), Weibull modulus (m), and respective CI for each group
Postpolymerization Time Flexural Characteristic 95% CI for Weibull 95% CI Variation
Strength Strength σo (MPa) Modulus (m) for m (mm)
(MPa) (σo) (MPa)
UV 15 min 73.99 ±8.15A 77.56a 74.79-80.44 10.34ɑ� 7.40-14.44 0.37 ±0.37‡
20 min 73.80 ±10.18A 77.99a 74.59-81.56 8.50ɑ�ɣ 6.70-10.78 0.19 ±0.21╬
30 min 77.90 ±8.23A 81.30a 78.64-84.05 11.47ɑ 9.17-14.36 0.22 ±0.28╬
MW 05 min 26.44 ±6.13C 28.90cd 26.66-31.34 4.66ɣ 3.41-6.35 0.44 ±0.46‡
08 min 45.58 ±3.84B 47.28b 46.00-48.60 13.71ɑ 9.80-19.18 0.78 ±0.54┼
10 min 29.94 ±3.79C 31.43c 30.22-32.68 9.82ɑ� 7.89-12.23 0.59 ±0.37╪
MWA 05 min 28.75 ±6.36C 31.24cd 29.01-33.64 5.09�ɣ 3.78-6.84 0.14 ±0.18╫
08 min 26.11 ±4.43C 27.89d 26.40-29.46 6.88ɑ�ɣ 5.17-9.16 0.14 ±0.18╫
10 min 27.08 ±5.71C 29.46cd 27.32-31.76 5.02�ɣ 3.40-7.41 0.17 ±0.23║
MW, microwave; MWA, microwave + water; UV, ultraviolet.
*Different uppercase letters indicate statistical difference for flexural strength. Different lowercase letters indicate statistical difference for char
acteristic resistance. Different Greek letters indicate statistical difference for Weibull module. Different symbols indicate statistical difference for
dimensional stability.
A B C
D E F
G H I
Figure 4. Scanning electron micrographs (original magnification ×500). A, UV 15 min. B, UV 20 min. C, UV 30 min. D, MW 05 min. E, MW 08 min. F,
MW 10 min. G, MWA 05 min. H, MWA 08 min. I, MWA 10 min. MW, microwave; MWA, microwave + water; UV, ultraviolet. Red asterisks indicate
grooves. Yellow arrows indicate an irregular layer structure with chips.
surface hardness of composite resins postprocessed with the increase from 10 to 20 minutes did not produce sig
microwaves. However, despite the similarities between nificant differences in flexural strength.28 Nevertheless, in
the composite resin and the printed resin, the groups creasing the postpolymerization time from 60 to 90 minutes
postpolymerized in a microwave oven in this study was reported to improve mechanical performance and the
found lower flexural strengths. Likewise, a decrease in conversion degree of 3D printed resins.19 Although the time
the flexural strength of this material was observed when factor did not affect flexural strength in this study, our re
a microwave oven was used for postpolymerizing the sults highlight the importance of the postpolymerization
PMMA.31 with UV, independent of the time of exposure, because
The hypothesis that a longer postpolymerization time comparable results were not achieved when comparing
would increase the flexural strength of the 3D-printed resin with alternative methods such as microwaves in terms of
was rejected because the postpolymerization time did not the mechanical property of the printed resin for interim
significantly affect the mechanical strength of the specimens restorations.
subjected to UV. The manufacturers recommend a post SEM analysis in the present study found that the groups
polymerization UV exposure time of 10 minutes for the submitted to postpolymerization in a UV device presented a
resin tested. Increasing the postpolymerization time with fracture surface with characteristics of a more ductile ma
UV from 5 minutes to 10 or 20 minutes has been reported to terial. According to Aati et al,28 these characteristics provide
increase the flexural strength of printed resins,29 although the surface of a material with fragile mechanical behavior.
These findings were also consistent with Kim et al,19 who 4. Kessler A, Reinhard H, Reymus M. 3D Printing in dentistry-state of the art.
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being investigated. However, studies that have shown the 11. Alharbi N, Alharbi S, Cuijpers VMJI, Osman RB, Wismeijer D. Three-
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Changes in the dimensional stability can be affected 12. Giannetti L, Apponi R, Mordini L, Presti S, Breschi L, Mintrone F. The
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16. Sabbah A, Romanos G, Delgado-Ruiz R. Impact of layer thickness and
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Dentistry—Polymer-based restorative materials. Geneva: International Copyright © 2023 by the Editorial Council of The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.
Organization for Standardization; 2019. https://www.iso.org/standard/ All rights reserved.
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