Effects of Surface Preparation Methods on the Color Stability of 3D-Printed Dental Restorations

Effect of bleaching and repolishing on whiteness change and staining susceptibility of resin-based materials

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different types of bleaching methods and repolishing on the whiteness index and staining susceptibility of additive and subtractive production resin-based materials and direct composite resins.

METHODS

In this study, a total of 96 samples (8*8*2m) were prepared using a nanohybrid composite resin (Neo SpectraTM-ST (NS)), a subtractive-manufactured nanoceramic resin (CerasmartTM270 (CS)), and an additive-manufactured permanent resin (Saremco print Crowntec (CT)). The samples were randomly divided into four treatment groups: control (distilled water, 14 days), in-office bleaching (Opalescence Boost-40% HP, 3*20min), at-home bleaching (Opalescence PF-16% CP, 6 h, 14 days), and toothpaste group (Opalescence Whitening, 2*5min, 14 days) (n:8). After each the bleaching procedure was completed, the samples were kept in coffee solution for 7 days. Following, all samples were repolished. The color of the samples was measured with a spectrophotometer at baseline (T0), after bleaching (T1), after staining in coffee (T2) and after repolishing (T3). The whiteness index change (∆WID, T1-T0), staining susceptibility (∆E1, T2-T1) and color change after repolishing (∆E2, T3-T1) of the samples were calculated in the CIE (Commission International De I'Eclairage) system. The data were analyzed by SPSS software One-Way ANOVA, post-hoc Tukey, post-hoc Tamhane's-T2 and Paired-samples T test (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

The ∆WID of all tested materials was significantly different in the in-office bleaching group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Among the bleaching groups, the highest ∆WID was obtained in-office bleaching group of CT (2.91 ± 4.12). Staining susceptibility after bleaching (∆E1) was higher in the in-office and at-home bleaching groups compared to the control group in all tested materials. However, the difference between the treatment groups was statistically significant in NS and CS (p < 0.05). The highest ∆E1 was obtained in the in-office group of CT (7.36 ± 4.82). Color changes after repolishing (∆E2) of the tested materials were less in all groups compared to ∆E1.

CONCLUSION

In-office and at-home bleaching can increase the whiteness index change and stain susceptibility of materials. Among the tested materials, the color stability of additive-manufactured CT was comparatively poorer. The repolishing was found to be beneficial in reducing staining.

Influence of Post-Curing in Nitrogen-Saturated Condition on the Degree of Conversion and Color Stability of 3D-Printed Resin Crowns

Post-curing is the process of applying extra light to complete the polymerization process of 3D printing. The mechanical properties of light-cured three-dimensional (3D) printed resin can be improved by decreasing the oxygen concentrations during post-curing, and nitrogen-saturated post-curing has been applied for this purpose. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the color stability of 3D-printed resin crowns that were post-cured in both normal air and nitrogen-saturated conditions. Crowns were fabricated with a 3D printer and post-cured in normal air (control group; air) or nitrogen-saturated conditions (experimental group; nitrogen). The specimens in each group were subdivided into four subgroups, each exposed to different discoloration agents: distilled water, coffee, wine, and curry. Post-immersion color changes were measured using a digital spectrophotometer and analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy evaluated the degree of conversion of resin over immersion times for both post-curing conditions. Upon comparing the effects of post-curing conditions, a significant difference between the control and experimental groups in terms of immersion time in the wine and curry subgroups was found. FT-IR analysis showed a significant difference in the degree of conversion between the air and nitrogen groups from 10 to 300 s. These findings suggest that nitrogen-saturated post-curing can potentially enhance the conversion rate of 3D-printed resin crowns, thereby improving their color stability.

Artificial teeth obtained by additive manufacturing: Wear resistance aspects. A systematic review of in vitro studies

Wear resistance is one of the properties that must be considered for maintaining the long-term functionality of artificial teeth in dental prostheses. This property can be altered by the method of tooth fabrication, the material, the chewing force, and the relationship to the antagonist tooth. This systematic review evaluated the wear resistance of artificial teeth obtained by the additive manufacturing method and aims to answer the question, "Do artificial teeth for dental prostheses obtained by additive manufacturing show wear resistance similar to prefabricated ones?" The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Checklist guidelines were followed with a customized search in Scopus, PubMed/Medline, Embase, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases on August 30, 2023. The inclusion criteria were artificial teeth for dental prostheses in acrylic resin by additive manufacturing and comparing the wear resistance with conventional prefabricated teeth, in vitro and English studies, without time restriction. And excluded if 1) do not make artificial teeth by additive manufacturing or that were metal or ceramic teeth; 2) clinical trials, animal studies, review articles, case reports, letters to the editor, short communication, book chapters; 3) another language that is not English. The selection was in two steps, reading the titles and abstracts, followed by reading the selected studies in full. The risk of bias analysis was performed with the adaptation of the quasi-experimental studies tool by Joanna Briggs Institute. Four hundred and twelve articles were found in the databases, after the selection steps and application of eligibility criteria, 6 articles were included for qualitative data analysis and presented low risk of bias. For teeth obtained by additive manufacturing, 2 studies reported lower wear resistance, 2 studies had higher resistance, and 2 similar compared to prefabricated ones. Additive manufactured teeth compared to prefabricated teeth show influences on wear resistance due to differences in material composition, relationship to the antagonist's tooth, applied force, chewing cycles, and processing methods.

Effect of various post-curing light intensities, times, and energy levels on the color of 3D-printed resin crowns

Background/purpose

Current 3D-printing technology has been widely used for creating dental resin restorations. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of light intensity, time, and energy post-curing on the surface color of 3D-printed resin crowns. However, the influences of post-curing parameters on the restoration after printing still need to be explored. Therefore, this project investigates the effect of post-cure conditions on resin color.

Materials and methods

Specimens from single-crown (SC) and pontic (PO) specimens underwent post-curing at various light intensities (105, 210, 420, 630, and 860 mW/cm2) for 5, 10, and 15 min. Specimens were observed at three predetermined points and measured using a commercial spectrophotometer that utilizes the CIE Lab∗ color space. Subsequently, samples were analyzed for color differences (ΔE).

Results

ΔE color differences in evaluated samples were influenced by the light intensity, time, and energy post-curing. SC samples showed a significant color difference (P < 0.05), with the lowest value at 5 min of 16 (860 mW/cm2), while 10 and 15 min had a difference of 4 (210 mW/cm2). PO samples exhibited a significant decrease in the color difference (P < 0.05) at 5 and 10 min of 16 (860 mW/cm2), and at 15 min of 12 (630 mW/cm2).

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that exposing a resin crown to a high light intensity results in color stability and allows shorter post-curing times.

Effect of Hygiene Protocols on the Mechanical and Physical Properties of Two 3D-Printed Denture Resins Characterized by Extrinsic Pigmentation as Well as the Mixed Biofilm Formed on the Surface

To assess the effect of hygiene protocols and time on the physical-mechanical properties and colony-forming units (CFU) of Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus mutans on 3D-printed denture resins (SmartPrint and Yller) with extrinsic pigmentation compared to conventional resin (CR). The protocols were evaluated: brushing (B), brushing and immersion in water (W), 0.25% sodium hypochlorite (SH), and 0.15% triclosan (T), simulating 0, 1, 3, and 5 years. The data were analyzed by ANOVA with repeated measurements, ANOVA (Three-way) and Tukey's post-test, generalized linear model with Bonferroni adjustment, and ANOVA (Two-way) and Tukey's post-test (α = 0.05). The protocols influenced color (p = 0.036) and Knoop hardness (p < 0.001). Surface roughness was influenced by protocols/resin (p < 0.001) and time/resin (p = 0.001), and flexural strength by time/protocols (p = 0.014). C. albicans showed interactions with all factors (p = 0.033). Staphylococcus aureus was affected by protocols (p < 0.001). Streptococcus mutans exhibited no count for SH and T (p < 0.001). Yller resin showed more color changes. The 3D-printed resins displayed lower microhardness, increased roughness, and decreased flexural strength compared to CR with all protocols in a simulated period of 5 years. The indication of printed resins should be restricted to less than 3 years.