ABSTRACT
To determine effects of printing layer thickness and build orientation on mechanical properties and color stability of direct 3D-printed clear aligner resin.
Specimens were printed using 3D printed clear aligner resin with two printing layer thicknesses (50 µm, 100 µm) and three build orientations (90°, 60°, and 45°). Mechanical properties (tensile stress, tensile strain, and elastic modulus), color stability in coffee and artificial saliva, and roughness were then evaluated.
Specimens printed with a 50 µm layer thickness and orientation at 90° demonstrated superior color stability in artificial saliva. However, all specimens showed high susceptibility to coffee staining regardless of layer thickness or orientation. Mechanical properties were improved in the order of 90° < 60° < 45° build orientation, showing statistically significant differences (P < .05). Surface roughness was increased in the order of 90° < 60° < 45° build orientation, showing statistically significant differences (P < .05).
Printing layer thickness and orientation exerted significant effects on mechanical properties, color stability, and surface roughness of 3D-printed clear aligner resin.
Author notes
Graduate Student, Department of Orthodontics, Institute of Craniofacial Deformity, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Assistant Research Professor, BK21 FOUR Project, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, School of Stomatology of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
Staff Scientist, Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Professor, Department of Preventive and Restorative Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, Center for Innovation & Precision Dentistry, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Institute of Craniofacial Deformity, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Assistant Professor, Department and Research Institute of Dental Biomaterials and Bioengineering, BK21 FOUR Project, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Associate Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Institute of Craniofacial Deformity, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Republic of Korea.