Influence of high filler content of zirconia and ceramic on the properties of 3D-printed resin for dental restorations.

Purpose

To evaluate the mechanical and physical properties of three-dimensional (3D)-printed resins containing >50 wt% inorganic fillers, and compare them with a computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) nano-hybrid ceramic resin block and a conventional resin-based 3D-printed material.

Methods

3D-printed resins, including an unfilled resin (RP), a high-filler resin containing >50 wt% inorganic fillers (RCP), and a zirconia-containing high-filler resin (>60 wt% inorganic fillers; RZP), as well as a CAD-CAM nano-hybrid ceramic resin block (RCM), were investigated. Biaxial flexural strength, Weibull reliability, surface hardness, water sorption, and solubility were evaluated. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Bonferroni post hoc tests (α = 0.05). Weibull probability analysis with 95% confidence intervals was used to determine the characteristic strength and reliability for each material group.

Results

The RZP exhibited the highest flexural strength, followed by RCP and RCM, all outperforming the RP. RZP and RCP demonstrated superior absolute strength but greater variability, while RCM demonstrated higher reliability. Vickers hardness was highest in RCM, though both high-filler resins exceeded RP. RZP showed the greatest water sorption, and RCM showed the lowest solubility. Surface and elemental analyses supported differences in fracture behavior and filler composition.

Conclusions

High-filler 3D-printed resins show mechanical performance comparable to that of CAD-CAM nano-hybrid ceramic resin blocks and are promising materials for restorations requiring enhanced strength and durability.