Photopolymerizable resin for 3D printers, heat-curing PMMA-based resins, post-polymerization chamber, surface roughness, polishing

Abstract

Surface roughness plays a crucial role in evaluating dental materials as it influences their durability. The objective of this study was to assess the surface roughness of light-curable resins for 3D printers and PMMA-based resins. Methodology: A total of 20 samples measuring 25×25×3 mm were prepared and divided into two groups: Group A (n=10), consisting of light-curable resins for 3D printers, and Group B (n=10), composed of heat-cured PMMA-based resins. Samples in Group A were designed using Meshmixer software and arranged in Photon Workshop 6.4 DLP 3D with a 0° orientation. Printing was performed using a Photon Ultra DLP printer (Anycubic, Hong Kong-China). The samples were then washed with 90% isopropyl alcohol for 5 minutes. For post-curing, a custom-designed curing chamber from the faculty project was used, applying a power of 45 watts and a wavelength of 400 to 470 nm for 16 minutes. Group B samples were created from self-curing acrylic impressions using condensation silicone keys and were placed in flasks for PMMA sample production following the manufacturer’s instructions. The sample surfaces were polished using a low-speed handpiece operating between 1500 and 2000 rpm. Data were recorded in an Excel spreadsheet (Microsoft-USA) and analyzed using the BioStat 5.3 statistical software (Brazil) through a Student’s t-test (p < 0.05). Results: The obtained values were ≤ 0.2 μm, with no statistically significant differences between both groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study highlight that both materials are entirely acceptable for use in dentistry. Further research is recommended to evaluate surface roughness in greater depth.