Optical behavior of 3D-printed dental restorative resins: Influence of thickness and printing angle

• Published in: Dental materials 2023-10, Vol.39 (10), p.894-902
• Main Authors: Espinar, Cristina, Della Bona, Alvaro, Tejada-Casado, Maria, Pulgar, Rosa, Pérez, María M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3D-printed dental resin; Absorption; Kubelka-Munk Theory; Light reflectivity; Printing orientation; Scattering; Thickness; Transmission
• ISSN: 0109-5641; 1879-0097
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2023.08.003

To evaluate the influence of thickness and printing angle on the optical properties of 3D-printed dental restorative resins. Four 3D printing resin systems were evaluated: DFT-Detax Freeprint Temp; FP- Formlabs Permanent Crown; FP- Formlabs Temporary CB; and GCT- GC Temporary-. Samples from each material were printed at 0° and 90°, and polished up to 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm thickness. Scattering (S), absorption (K) and albedo (a) coefficients, transmittance (T%), light reflectivity (RI) and infinite optical thickness (X∞) were calculated using Kubelka-Munk’s model. Data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis¸ Mann-Whitney tests, and VAF coefficient. The spectral distribution on S, K, T%, RI,X∞ were wavelength dependent. Although the spectral behaviors were similar for all the specimens evaluated, the values of S, K, T% andX∞ presented significant differences between specimen thicknesses for all the materials used and for both printing orientations. Values for S and K increased, and T% and X∞ decreased. Significant differences between 0° and 90° were found for RI values at 0.5 and 1.0 mm thick samples, for S and K at 2.0 mm, for X∞ at 0.5 and 1.0 mm for DFT, and at 0.5 mm for FT. Optical properties of 3D-printed restorative resins vary between thicknesses, and could be affected by the building orientation. Therefore, these factors should be considered in order to improve the biomimetic potential of 3D-printed dental restorative resins. Understanding the optical behavior of the 3D-printed restorative resins is essential to optimize their clinical performance. •Spectral behavior of the scattering, absorption and transmittance are similar for all the 3D-printed dental resins evaluated.•Scattering is the most relevant attenuation phenomenon in 3D-printed dental resins.•Optical properties of 3D-printed dental resins are influenced by the thickness.•The printing angle may affect the optical properties of 3D-printed dental resins.