Although not directly testing dentures themselves, researchers at the Recep Tayyip Erdogan University in Turkey conducted what’s called a comprehensive literature review to collect previous studies of the flexural strength of 3D printed dentures and compare them all together.
What they found and published in the January 2025 issue of BMC Oral Health indicates that laser-based 3D printing processes for both resin and polymer powder create dentures that have stronger flexural strength than resin 3D printing technologies that use UV light.
The aim of the research review was to compare the flexural strength of provisional fixed dental prostheses. PFDPs are a temporary restoration used in dentistry to replace missing teeth and restore function, esthetics, and comfort while a permanent prosthesis is being fabricated.
The review looked at several 3D printing technologies used to fabricate PFDPs, including digital light processing (DLP), stereolithography (SLA), liquid crystal display (LCD), selective laser sintering (SLS), Digital Light Synthesis (DLS) from Carbon, and fused deposition modeling (FDM).
A total of 11 studies were included in the report, with 9 studies contributing to the overall analysis. Direct comparisons were limited, with DLP vs. SLA having the most data. Other comparisons were predominantly indirect.
Researchers say that the limited number of direct comparisons and reliance on indirect evidence suggest that further research is necessary to confirm these findings. It is inferred that this study should not be taken as a claim that SLA 3D printed parts are inherently stronger than DLP or LCD parts (although research in other industries points to this). Rather, among the 3D printed PFDPs research conducted to date where flexural strength was measured, SLS and SLA come out on top.
“The superior flexural strength of SLS and SLA 3D printing systems ensures enhanced durability and resistance to fracture in provisional fixed dental prostheses. This makes them preferable for clinical applications where long-lasting temporary restorations are critical, reducing the need for premature replacements and improving patient outcomes during the restorative phase,” the research states.
Fractures are among the most frequently reported failures in provisional restorations, often caused by inadequate flexural strength that renders the material unable to withstand functional loads, such as biting and chewing.
Although studies on this topic often report inconsistent findings due to differences in experimental conditions, brands of 3D printers used, materials, and testing protocols creating uncertainty, it is an interesting finding and one that should spark more research on the best 3D printing technology for these products. Of the studies included in this research, each used resins specifically designed for dental applications, including Crown & Bridge NextDent, DentaTooth, Form 3B + Crown and Bridge Resin, Dentca Crown and Bridge Resin, and NextDent C&B MFH. 3D printers used included 3D Systems NextDent 5100, Asiga Max, and Formlabs Form 3B+.
Results were presented in a table format, ranking the 3D printing systems based on their estimated effects on flexural strength.
In terms of ranking based on flexural strength, researchers presented the following:
- SLS
- SLA
- DLS
- FDM
- LCD
- DLP
“The superior performance of SLS and SLA systems suggests that these technologies are more suitable for producing restorations that can withstand functional loads, reducing the likelihood of fractures during the provisional phase,” researchers wrote. “Therefore, the findings of this study can inform clinicians in selecting the most appropriate 3D printing systems for the fabrication of durable and reliable provisional restorations, ultimately improving patient outcomes.”
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