Influence of different postcuring parameters on mechanical properties and biocompatibility of 3D printed crown and bridge resin for temporary restorations

Abstract

This study analyzed the flexural properties, Vickers hardness, degree of conversion (DC), and cell viability of 3D printed crown and bridge resin postcured using various types of postcuring equipment (PCE). 3D printed specimens were postcured for various times using different types of 3D printing PCE [for 5, 15, and 30 min using LC 3D Print Box (LC), Form Cure (FC), Cure M (CM), and Veltz 3D (VE) devices] and the VALO handheld light-curing (VA) device for 20, 40, and 60 s. Neither the flexural strength (132.27–145.79 MPa) nor the flexural modulus (1.52–1.83 GPa) differed significantly when postcuring for 30 min using the LC, FC, CM, or VE device, or for 20, 40, or 60 s of postcuring using the VA device (p > 0.05). The Vickers hardness was highest after 30 min of postcuring for all groups, and varied significantly with the postcuring time in the LC (p < 0.001) and CM (p < 0.001) groups. DC was significantly higher for the 5-min CM group (84.97 ± 4.02%) than for the GS, 30-min FC, 5-min VE, and 20-s VA groups. Cell viability of the postcured resin specimens was 56.46–92.29%, and varied significantly in the CM and VE groups according to the postcuring time (p < 0.05). Confocal laser scanning microscopy observations showed well-developed cell morphology and numerous cell–cell contacts in all groups except the GS group. This study found that the use of different types of PCE did not significantly affect the flexural properties of 3D printed crown and bridge resin, whereas there were significant variations in DC, Vickers hardness, and cell viability.