3D-Printed Resin Showed Higher Water Sorption than Heat-Cured PMMA and Polyamide

Amr A. Aliem Elbanna ^1*, Nehad Mohamed Harby ¹, Farid Abdelkarim Hamam ¹

Evaluation of water sorption in various denture base materials, highlighting significant differences and implications for clinical durability and performance.

Abstract

Background: Widely used denture base material Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is prone to poor strength and allergic reactions. Digital technology, including CAD/CAM milling and 3D printing, offers alternative methods for fabricating denture bases. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the water sorption properties of conventional heat-cured PMMA, 3D-printed resin, and polyamide denture base materials. Methods: Thirty-disc specimens (50 mm in diameter, 0.5 mm thickness) were fabricated and divided into three groups of ten each. Specimens were weighed with an electronic analytical balance to a precision of 0.001 g. Water sorption was assessed by measuring weight changes after immersion in water. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc tests to determine statistical significance. Results: No statistically significant differences in water sorption were observed between the heat-cured PMMA (Group I) and polyamide (Group III) groups (mean ± SD: 2.103 ± 0.298 and 0.162 ± 0.111, respectively). However, highly significant differences were found between the heat-cured PMMA (Group I) and 3D-printed (Group II) groups, as well as between the polyamide (Group III) and 3D-printed (Group II) groups (mean ± SD: 36.751 ± 12.575 μm/mm³ for Group II, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Significant differences in water sorption were identified among the three denture base materials. The 3D-printed resin exhibited higher water sorption compared to both heat-cured PMMA and polyamide, which may affect its clinical performance and durability. These findings highlight the need for careful selection and consideration of denture base materials based on their water sorption properties.

Keywords: Denture base materials, Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), 3D printing, Water sorption, Polyamide

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