Şahin M., Buyuk S. K., Simsek H., Akdoğan T., Bircan S., Toroglu M. S.
Bioengineering, cilt.12, sa.12, ss.1332, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
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Yayın Türü:
Makale / Tam Makale
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Cilt numarası:
12
Sayı:
12
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Basım Tarihi:
2025
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Doi Numarası:
10.3390/bioengineering12121322
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Dergi Adı:
Bioengineering
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Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler:
Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), BIOSIS, INSPEC, Directory of Open Access Journals
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Sayfa Sayıları:
ss.1332
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Çukurova Üniversitesi Adresli:
Hayır
Özet
Additive manufacturing (AM) offers precision and efficiency in occlusal splint fabrication; however, the combined influence of build orientation and post-curing duration on the mechanical performance of splint resins remains insufficiently explored. This in vitro experimental study evaluated the effects of three build orientations (0°, 45°, and 90°) and three post-curing protocols (uncured, standard, and extended) on the flexural strength (FS), flexural modulus (FM) and Vickers hardness number (VHN) of a Class IIa biocompatible occlusal splint resin (NextDent Ortho Rigid). A total of 180 specimens were fabricated using a vat polymerization-type 3D printing system. Statistical analyses were conducted using one-way analyses of variance and Tukey’s tests at a significance level of α = 0.05. Both build orientation and post-curing duration significantly affected FS and VHN (p < 0.001). The combination of 45° build orientations and extended post-curing produced the highest FS (169.76 MPa) and FM (7502.17 MPa), exceeding values typically reported for 3D-printed splints, while the 90° orientation with extended curing achieved the highest VHN (21.88). Hardness gains, however, plateaued beyond standard curing, indicating a trade-off between strength and surface hardness. These results demonstrate that print orientation and post-curing time are decisive parameters in optimizing the mechanical performance of 3D-printed occlusal splints. For high-load clinical applications such as bruxism, prioritizing flexural strength over surface hardness may improve appliance longevity, supporting 45° orientation with extended curing as an evidence-based manufacturing approach.