Comparative analysis of chemical properties and biocompatibility among high ceramic filler-based 3D printed resins, low filler-based 3D printed resins and CAD/CAM ceramics

Comparative analysis of chemical properties and biocompatibility among high ceramic filler-based 3D printed resins, low filler-based 3D printed resins and CAD/CAM ceramics

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.

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.

Objective: This study aimed to compare surface properties, degree of conversion (DC), short-term eluate levels, and biocompatibility between high-filler three-dimensional (3D) printed dental resins, low-filler 3D printed dental resins, and milled ceramic materials.

Materials and methods: Two commercial high-filler 3D printed resins (containing zirconia and silica), one commercial lowfiller

3D printed resin, one hybrid-milled ceramic, and one zirconia-milled ceramic were tested. The surface properties evaluated

were degree of conversion (DC) (n=10), contact angle and surface free energy (SFE) (n=10), surface roughness using

contact-type profiler (n=10) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM, n=1) and surface morphology using Scanning Electronic

Microscopy (SEM, n=1). Biocompatibility was assessed by measuring the viability (n=10), proliferation (n=3), and migration

(n=6) of human gingival fibroblasts after exposure to material eluates. Eluates were analyzed subjectively using liquid

chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (n=1). Data were analyzed statistically using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s

HSD test (α=0.05).

Results: High-filler resins showed significantly higher DC than the low-filler resin (p<0.05). Postcuring increased DC in

the low-filler resin but not in high-filler resins. High-filler resins and the hybrid ceramic exhibited higher surface energy and

lower contact angles than zirconia and the low-filler resin, while surface roughness was highest in the hybrid ceramic and

lowest in the low-filler resin (p<0.05). Eluates had no effect on viability or proliferation but significantly reduced fibroblast

migration for the high-filler resins and hybrid ceramic (p<0.05).

Conclusions: High-filler 3D printed resins demonstrated higher DC and surface energy but released more residual monomers

than the low-filler resin and ceramics. While eluates did not impair cell viability or proliferation, they reduced fibroblast

migration, suggesting possible implications for soft-tissue healing.

Clinical relevance: High-filler 3D printed resins exhibit acceptable biocompatibility with potential concerns regarding

migration, making them potential alternatives to conventional milled ceramics in prosthodontics. However, the potential

impact of released residual monomers on soft-tissue healing highlight the need for further optimization and long-term safety

evaluations.

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