Physical and mechanical properties of modern domestic materials used for 3D printing of surgical guides: An Uncontrolled Laboratory Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The relevance of this study is justified by the introduction of modern techniques into the practice of dentists, one of which is the use of surgical guides. Unfortunately, a troubling trend has recently emerged where foreign materials are either unavailable for purchase or their cost is prohibitively high. Choosing Russian manufacturers guarantees availability, prompt delivery, and a reasonable price. This research helps determine the physical and mechanical properties of samples from domestic materials used for manufacturing surgical guides and also reveals how these properties change after sterilization using the autoclaving method .

AIM: Testing the physical and mechanical properties of domestic materials intended for 3D printing surgical guides before and after autoclaving .

METHODS: Three types of domestic resins were selected. The hardness, elastic modulus, and crack resistance of the Russian materials were studied before and after sterilization .

RESULTS: It was found that, based on the flexural test results, all three groups of Russian materials are acceptable for use as finished surgical guide specimens, meeting the requirements of GOST R 71413-2024 (ISO 20795-2:2013). National Standard of the Russian Federation. Dentistry. Base polymer materials. Part 2. Orthodontic base polymer materials. General technical requirements and test methods.

Specifically, the standard requires a flexural strength of not less than 50 MPa and a modulus of elasticity of not less than 1500 MPa. These requirements are intended for base materials used to fabricate appliances designed for long-term use in the oral cavity.

All tested material groups met the specified requirements, except for the "wet" samples from Group 1. However, given that a surgical guide is typically used in the oral cavity for a short period and does not have sufficient time to absorb moisture, and also because the loads on a surgical guide are significantly lower, Group 1 material can also be recommended for the production of guides.

The autoclaved samples from Groups 1 and 2 showed high results in the crack resistance test. In turn, the samples from Group 3 remained stable, which may indicate the homogeneity of the material's internal structure .

CONCLUSION: The strength increases after the samples are processed by autoclaving; all material groups can be recommended for the production of surgical guides. Sample Group 3 demonstrates the most stable physico-mechanical properties.