Dimensional Change of 3D Printed Resin When Exposed to Environmental Light
Abstract
Statement of problem. To our knowledge, the linear dimensional stability of the SLA 3D printed resins when exposed to environmental light after printing has not been studied. Ideally, the cured resins should have a similar dimensional stability of historically used dental lab materials like type III, IV, and V dental stones.
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dimensional changes of 3D printed resin models when exposed to ambient light after post processing.
Materials and Methods. A partially edentulous typodont was scanned to include teeth #18-22. Twenty resin models were printed with a 3D printer. Ten models were stored in ambient light, while ten models were stored in a dark box. Measurements were taken at 0, 12, 24, 48, 96, and 168 hours with a desktop scanner. Measurements were compared using best fit analysis in CAD software. Statistics included mean of models changes over time (student t), mean deviations of model per location (Mann-Whitney U), and Pearson correlation of the initial and final scans. Results. The average of the means: Group L (light) was 92.18/-108.62 ± 150.40 μm; Group D (dark) was 110.12/-73.41 ± 128.53 μm. Neither group means were clinically significant (P > .05). The means ± standard deviations of dimensional change for Cusp locations were 147.11 ± 36.96 μm for Group L and 143.32 ± 11.73 μm for Group D; for fossa location were 139.94 ± 35.98 μm for Group L and 134.63 ± 11.30 μm for Group D; for Axial location were78.56 ± 21.70 μm for Group L and 72.04 ± 8.10 μm for Group D. However, there were not statistically significant differences between groups or among locations (P > .05). There was a strong positive correlation between the initial scan and final scan of each models (P < .001).
Conclusions. Within the limitations of this study, the recommended printing and post-cure processing provides a linear stable model unaffected by environmental ambient light.
Citation
Hawley, Jonathan Parker (2020). Dimensional Change of 3D Printed Resin When Exposed to Environmental Light. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /191669.