"3D-printed and bis-acrylic temporary resins: mechanical properties compared to a conventional composite resin"
"3D printing, composite resin, hardness, flexuralstrength, surface roughness, provisional, temporary resin"
"Bis-acrylic resins and resins obtained through 3D printing for clinical indication of temporary restorations are commercially available. Objective: To evaluate the mechanical properties of resins intended for temporary or "semi-permanent" use, produced through additive manufacturing, and compare them to established materials used for this purpose in clinical practice, such as bis-acrylic resins and composite resins. Materials and methods: The flexural strength (σ) and microhardness of two printed resins (BP, BioProv and BC, BioCrown, Makertech), two bis-acrylic resins (LT, LuxaTemp and LC, LuxaCrown, DMG), and one conventional composite resin (Z100, Filtek Z100, 3M) were evaluated. For the σ test, 40 bars (25x2x2mm, ISO 4049, n=8) were produced using silicone molds and 3D printer (Mars3, Elegoo) with post-processing as per the manufacturer's instructions. After 24h storage (37°C), σ (three-point bending) was tested using a universal testing machine. For the microhardness test (Vickers, HV), 50 discs (Ø6mmx2mm, n=10) were produced with the same resins, polished up to #2000 sandpaper, and subjected to microhardness testing after 7 days (37°C). Results: For both tests, statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test, with α= 5%. The σ (MPa±SD) of Z100 (131.1±7.7) and BC (128.7±16.7) was significantly higher than the other resins; LC (97.9±10.2) had higher σ than LT (78.5±11.9) and BP (76.3±7.2). The microhardness values (VHN±SD) demonstrated that Z100 resin (109,8±8.86) was superior to the other resins; BC (26.7±2.84) exhibited higher hardness than BP (19.7±3.31), LC LC (19.5± 2,27) and LT (20.6±2.09). Conclusion: The σ of a printed resin already resembles that of a conventional restorative composite resin. The HV of bis-acrylic and printed resins, although showing notable progress, remains lower. Further studies are necessary to understand the implications of these properties in clinical reality."