Three-Dimensionally Printed Versus Conventionally Cured Polymer-Based Material For Interim Restorations.

ABSTRACT Background. Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a manufacturing technique, based on building objects layer by layer. It has received more attention lately especially in the medical and dental fields. Aim: To investigate two mechanical properties of three-dimensionally printed polymer-based materials and compare them with conventionally cured polymer-based material. Methods: Samples of four 3D-printed polymer-based materials (NextDent C&B MFH; NextDent Denture 3D+; NextDent Ortho Rigid and Freeprint® temp) and a conventionally cured and hand-mixed polymer-based provisional material (Luxatemp star) were investigated. Flexural strength and Vickers hardness were analyzed. Before the tests were carried out, all samples were placed in water in 37°C for at least 24 hours. Results: The flexural strength results showed that there was statistically significant difference between Luxatemp star, NextDent C&B MFH and Freeprint®temp. Both 3D printed materials had a higher flexural strength than the conventionally cured material (Luxatemp star). At the same time, there was no statistically significant difference between Luxatemp star, NextDent Denture 3D+ and NextDent Ortho Rigid. The hardness values showed no statistically significant difference between the conventionally cured material (Luxatemp star) and the 3D printed materials. Furthermore, no statistically significant differences could be seen between the different 3D printed materials. Conclusions: NextDent C&B MFH and Freeprint®temp had higher flexural strength than the conventionally cured material. NextDent Ortho Rigid and NextDent Denture 3D+ had a flexural strength comparable to the conventionally cured polymer-based material. 3D printed materials had a hardness comparable to the conventionally cured ones