Wear of 3D-printed resin denture teeth under self-antagonist conditions after chewing simulation.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the wear depth and volume loss of 3D-printed resin denture teeth with prefabricated and milled acrylic denture teeth under chewing simulation.

Materials and methods: Four groups of denture teeth (n = 9) were evaluated: prefabricated acrylic teeth (PT), milled acrylic teeth (MT), 3D-printed methacrylate-based resin teeth (3DT), and glazed 3D-printed resin teeth (3DT+G). Samples were embedded in self-curing resin, and antagonists were fabricated from the same materials. A chewing simulator was utilized to apply a cyclic occlusal load of 49.05 N (5 kg) for 120,000 cycles in distilled water. Wear depth (µm) and volume loss (mm³) were measured using a 3D laser profilometer. Surface morphology was qualitatively analyzed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data normality was verified, and statistical significance was determined using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's HSD test (α=0.05).

Results: Significant differences in wear depth and volume loss were observed among the groups (P < .05). No significant differences were found between PT and MT, or between 3DT and 3DT+G. However, the 3DT and 3DT+G groups exhibited significantly lower wear depth and volume loss compared to the PT and MT groups (P < .05). SEM analysis revealed that the PT group displayed a more uniform and homogenous surface morphology compared to the other groups, while 3DT+G showed evidence of glaze depletion within the wear facets.

Conclusion: 3D-printed resin denture teeth demonstrated superior wear resistance compared to prefabricated and milled alternatives under simulated chewing conditions. Furthermore, the application of a 50 µm surface glaze did not significantly enhance wear resistance of the 3D-printed resin.