Radiopacity Evaluation of 3D Printed Permanent Crown Restoration Materials.

BACKGROUND

To analyze the radiopacity of three commercially available 3D printing resins, which are currently used for permanent crowns.

METHODS

Samples were fabricated using Saremco Print Crowntec, VarseoSmile Crown Plus, and Duraprint at 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mm thicknesses. Radiographs were taken alongside a 1-mm tooth section and aluminum step wedge using a photostimulable phosphor system at 60 kVp, 7 mA, 0.25 s, and a 30 cm source-to-object distance. Mean grayscale values were analyzed in ImageJ to calculate mm Al values. Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests (p = 0.05).

RESULTS

The radiopacity of all tested materials was statistically significantly lower than that of enamel (2.30 ± 0.07 mmAl). Except for the 1.5 mm thick Saremco Print Crowntec and VarseoSmile Crown Plus groups, all of them showed statistically significantly lower radiopacity than that of the dentine (1.27 ± 0.08 mmAl). Duraprint showed the lowest radiopacity values among all groups, and didn't show a statistically significant difference in various thicknesses.

CONCLUSIONS

The related 3D printing resins might not achieve sufficient radiopacity, particularly in thin restorations. In Duraprint restorations, distinguishing the natural tissues, restoration or caries would be difficult due to the lack of radiopacity.