COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF 3D-PRINTED RESIN AND POLYLACTIC ACID: AN IN-VITRO STUDY

Abstract

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) printing has gained significant importance in dentistry for the fabrication of provisional restorations, study models, and auxiliary appliances. Among the commonly used materials, 3D printed resin and polylactic acid (PLA) are widely utilized. To ascertain their clinical applicability in dentistry, their mechanical characteristics, especially compressive strength, must be assessed. The study aimed to evaluate and compare the compressive strength of 3D printed resin and polylactic acid polymer materials.  Materials and methods: 20 Cylindrical samples were made with 3D printed resin and polylactic acid and compressive strength was evaluated using universal testing machine. Shapiro–Wilk test was done for normality and intergroup comparison was done with independent sample t test. Results: The mean compressive strength of the 3D-printed resin group was higher than that of polylactic acid group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant. Conclusion: The compressive strength of FDM printed PLA was 28.90 ± 2.28. With material modifications and optimized printing parameters, its properties can be improved, making it a promising, customizable, and cost-effective option for pediatric dental applications.