Effect of thickness on the translucency of machinable and printable ceramic-glass polymer materials

J Dent. 2024 Aug:147:105129. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2024.105129. Epub 2024 Jun 13.

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the translucency of machinable and printable ceramic-glass polymer materials with different thicknesses.

Methods: Five ceramic-glass polymer materials were tested: one 3D-printable material, Permanent Crown resin (3D), two machinable materials available at low translucency (LT) and high translucency (HT) levels, VITA Enamic (VE) HT/LT, and Cerasmart 270 (CS) HT/LT. A total of 100 specimens were produced across 10 subgroups (n = 10) with thicknesses of 1 mm and 1.5 mm. The colour coordinates of the specimens were measured against black and white backgrounds using a spectrophotometer. Translucency was quantified using the Relative Translucency Parameter (RTP), calculated via the CIEDE2000 formula. A two-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc tests with Bonferroni correction (α = 0.05) was used for statistical analysis.

Results: The RTP for both thicknesses were ranked as follows: CSHT > VEHT > CSLT > 3D > VELT. The RTP of the 3D was lower than that of the HT machinable materials (CSHT and VEHT) for both thicknesses (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the RTP of 3D and CSLT at 1.5 mm (p = 1.000); however, at 1 mm, the RTP of the 3D was lower than that of the CSLT (p < 0.05). Notably, the 3D showed the least translucency difference with a 0.5 mm increase in thickness.

Conclusions: Printable ceramic-glass polymer materials demonstrated lower translucency than HT machinable ceramic-glass polymer materials. Both the thickness and type significantly influenced the translucency of the LT machinable counterparts compared to the printable ceramic-glass polymer material.

Clinical significance: Printable ceramic-glass polymer resins may be a suitable option for minimally invasive procedures, especially when attempting to mask undesirable-coloured abutments. When selecting HT machinable ceramic-glass polymers, clinicians should pay greater attention to the abutment colour and thickness of the restorative material.

Keywords: Ceramic-glass polymer materials; Printable permanent resin; Printable resin; Relative translucency parameter; Three-dimensional printing; Translucency.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ceramics* / chemistry
  • Color
  • Dental Materials* / chemistry
  • Dental Porcelain / chemistry
  • Glass* / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Light
  • Materials Testing*
  • Polymers* / chemistry
  • Printing, Three-Dimensional
  • Spectrophotometry*
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Polymers
  • Dental Materials
  • VITA Enamic
  • Dental Porcelain