Articles & publications

This study developed a novel urethane acrylate-based 3D printing resin incorporating a custom-synthesized zirconium (IV) fluoride complex designed to confer simultaneous antibacterial activity and sustained fluoride release. The complex was synthesized from 4,4-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-pentanoic acid, characterized by ¹H NMR, and incorporated at 5 and 10 wt% into a DLP-printable resin matrix. Flexural strength, Vickers hardness, surface morphology, antibacterial efficacy against S. mutans, cytotoxicity, and daily fluoride release over 28 days were systematically evaluated. Results demonstrated concentration-dependent fluoride release at clinically relevant low levels, acceptable antibacterial performance, and no detectable cytotoxicity, though mechanical properties were significantly affected by complex addition. These findings establish a compositional foundation for multifunctional 3D-printed dental restorations — including crowns, bridges, and orthodontic appliances — capable of delivering long-term cariostatic and antimicrobial benefits.

This study evaluated the effect of incorporating the quaternary ammonium monomer DMAHDM into a urethane acrylate-based 3D printing resin, with particular focus on how thermal aging modifies its performance over simulated clinical service. DMAHDM was added at concentrations of 0.25–1 wt%, and specimens were subjected to up to 5000 thermal cycles to simulate long-term intraoral aging. Degree of conversion, color stability, flexural strength, Vickers hardness, antibacterial effectiveness, and cytotoxicity were systematically assessed. Results revealed concentration- and aging-dependent trade-offs: higher DMAHDM levels and extended aging enhanced hardness and antibacterial activity but progressively compromised flexural strength and biocompatibility, while also inducing notable color shifts. These findings highlight the need to carefully balance DMAHDM concentration against aging-related property changes when designing antimicrobial 3D-printed dental resins for durable clinical use.

This study investigated how postwashing method and duration affect the mechanical performance and biocompatibility of DLP-printed crown and bridge resins. Specimens were washed using either an ultrasonic bath or a rotary washer with TPM solvent across five time points (3, 6, 10, 20, and 60 minutes), followed by standardized postcuring. Flexural strength, Vickers hardness, degree of conversion, water sorption and solubility, residual monomer elution, and cytotoxicity were comprehensively evaluated. The ultrasonic bath demonstrated superior monomer removal efficacy, reducing residual HEMA and TEGDMA to near-negligible levels. However, extended washing progressively compromised mechanical properties and degree of conversion, while cytotoxicity decreased with longer washing times. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing both washing method and duration to balance structural integrity and biological safety in clinical 3D printing workflows.

This study examined how silica (SiO₂) particle size affects the properties of 3D-printed dental resin. Nano- (5–20 nm) and microparticles (0.5–10 μm) were added at 1 and 2 wt% to a commercial resin, and specimens were evaluated for mechanical performance (flexural strength, Vickers hardness), surface characteristics (roughness, color), degree of conversion, printing trueness, and biocompatibility. Results revealed a clear size-dependent trade-off: large particles boosted mechanical strength but compromised surface smoothness and dimensional accuracy, while small particles enhanced degree of conversion and surface quality with a notable whitening effect. All formulations maintained acceptable biocompatibility. These findings highlight the importance of tailoring silica particle size and concentration to specific clinical requirements in dental 3D printing.

This study examined how three key design parameters (implant-analog-holder offset, inner structure, and printing layer thickness) influence the dimensional accuracy of 3D-printed dental implant models. Twelve experimental groups were fabricated using an LCD printer and digitized with a laboratory scanner, with trueness, precision, angular distortion, depth deviation, and linear distortion evaluated via three-way ANOVA. Results demonstrated that an IAH offset of 0.06 mm, hollow inner structure, and 100 µm layer thickness collectively yielded the highest positional accuracy and minimal implant-analog deviation. These findings provide clinically actionable printing parameters for optimizing the fabrication of implant-level working models in digital prosthodontic workflows.

This mixed-methods study examined the mental health status of dental technology students in Malaysia during the post-pandemic period, framed within the Stress-Adaptation-Growth theoretical model. Using a modified DASS-21 questionnaire alongside semi-structured phenomenological interviews, the study captured both the prevalence and lived experience of depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate Bachelor of Dental Technology students navigating a hybrid post-COVID educational environment. Quantitative findings revealed notable rates of anxiety and moderate depression, while qualitative analysis identified three overarching themes centered on adaptation difficulties, campus re-entry apprehension, and future uncertainty. Together, these findings call for institution-level responses — including flexible academic policies and targeted psychological support — to better safeguard student well-being in the evolving post-pandemic landscape.

This study investigated the effects of DMAHDM (dimethylaminohexadecyl methacrylate) nanoparticle concentration (0–1 wt%) on the antibacterial, antifungal, mechanical, and biocompatibility properties of a urethane acrylate-based DLP 3D-printing resin. 0.75–1 wt% DMAHDM achieves optimal antimicrobial activity against S. mutans and C. albicans while maintaining clinically acceptable mechanical properties and biocompatibility accorfing to ISO standards.

Two high-filler 3D-printed resins, one low-filler 3D-printed resin, and two milled ceramics (hybrid and zirconia) were comparatively evaluated across degree of conversion, surface properties, eluate composition, and biocompatibility. High-filler resins were found to exhibit higher DC and surface energy than the low-filler resin, with surface roughness and morphology characterized via profilometry, AFM, and SEM. Eluates analyzed by LC-MS/MS showed no effect on fibroblast viability or proliferation, but fibroblast migration was significantly reduced by high-filler resins and hybrid ceramics. The findings positioned high-filler 3D-printed resins as viable alternatives to milled ceramics while flagging residual monomer release as a consideration for soft-tissue interaction.

A systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the clinical success rates of Silver Modified Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (SMART) in carious primary teeth, pooling data from nine randomized clinical studies and finding weighted mean success rates of 94.9%, 82.0%, and 69.5% at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups, with SMART performing comparably to conventional Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, 2026).

An in vitro study comparing three drilling protocols in static computer-assisted implant surgery across flat and 20° sloped alveolar ridges, finding that incorporating a bone-flattening drill as the initial step (FL group) significantly improved implant placement accuracy across all parameters — platform, apex, angular, and depth deviation — compared to conventional initial-drill and final-drill-only protocols, with all FL group measurements falling within clinically acceptable ranges (Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, 2026).

This in vitro study investigated how postwashing 3D-printed dental resin restorations with contaminated ethanol solutions affects their clinical performance. Two commercial Crown & Bridge resins (NextDent C&B and C&B MFH) were ultrasonically cleaned in ethanol containing 0–30% unpolymerized resin at 60 °C for 30 minutes. Degree of conversion, Vickers hardness, flexural strength, 3D trueness, surface morphology, and biocompatibility were systematically evaluated across contamination levels. Results demonstrated that even low contamination (≥5%) significantly degraded degree of conversion, surface hardness, dimensional accuracy, and cell viability, while flexural strength remained unaffected. Turbidity measurements identified the 5% contamination threshold as a practical compliance indicator for clinical postwashing protocols. These findings underscore the importance of ethanol solution management in dental 3D printing workflows to ensure consistent restoration quality and safety.

This study proposed Soxhlet extraction as an alternative post-washing method for 3D-printed dental resins, addressing the key limitation of solvent contamination inherent to conventional ultrasonic bath cleaning. Unlike static ultrasonic washing, the Soxhlet apparatus continuously refreshes the solvent, ensuring sustained removal of unpolymerized resin throughout the cleaning cycle. Specimens processed via Soxhlet post-washing demonstrated superior outcomes across multiple parameters — including solvent turbidity, Vickers hardness, tensile strength, degree of conversion, and cytotoxicity — compared to those washed in contaminated ethanol. These results position Soxhlet-based post-washing as a technically sound and clinically relevant strategy for improving the reliability and biocompatibility of photopolymerization-based 3D-printed dental restorations.