Lab Tribune Middle East & Africa No.3, 2024Lab Tribune Middle East & Africa No.3, 2024Lab Tribune Middle East & Africa No.3, 2024

Lab Tribune Middle East & Africa No.3, 2024

How far has 3D-printing brought clear aligners?

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DTMEA_No.3. Vol.14_LT.indd





PUBLISHED IN DUBAI

www.dental-tribune.me

Vol. 14, No. 3

How far has 3D-printing brought
clear aligners?
By Anisha Hall Hoppe,
Dental Tribune International
In the dynamic field of orthodontics, the advent of clear aligners
has marked a significant leap forward, marrying aesthetics with functionality to offer patients an appealing alternative to fixed appliances. A
new comprehensive review delves
into the burgeoning realm of
3D-printing technology and its use
in the fabrication of aligners. For
dental professionals striving to stay
abreast of cutting-edge research
and developments, the peerreviewed synopsis provides an insightful overview, encapsulating the
evolution, methodologies and future
prospects of aligner technology.
In addition to covering the historical technological development
leading to today’s aligners and the
associated CAD/CAM technology,
the review offers a brief refresher
course on 3D-printing technology.

(Image: EyeEm/Freepik)

Among the various 3D-printing
methods, such as stereolithography,
digital light processing (DLP) and
fused deposition modelling—which
offer unparalleled benefits in terms
of customisation, speed and cost-effectiveness—DLP stands out for its

suitability in aligner production
owing to its ability to achieve high
accuracy and optimal material properties for dental applications.
However, the clinical efficacy of
aligners is contingent upon a myriad
of factors, encompassing mechani-

cal properties, such as elasticity,
force delivery and resilience, as well
as the precision of fit and accuracy.
The review underscores the paramount importance of these factors
in achieving desired orthodontic
outcomes, highlighting the need for
continuous material innovation and
process optimisation.
Challenges in aligner therapy, including the management of complex
tooth movements and the maintenance of material properties in the
oral environment, are addressed
with a forward-looking perspective.
The review advocates for a multidisciplinary approach, leveraging advancements in materials science,
digital dentistry and biomechanical
understanding to surmount these
hurdles.
Aligner technology is poised to
harness the potential of emerging
materials and 3D-printing techniques, promising further refinements in treatment efficiency, pre-

dictability and patient satisfaction.
Innovations such as smart materials
capable of dynamic force application
and the integration of teledentistry
for remote monitoring are envisioned to redefine orthodontic treatment approaches.
For dental professionals, the review offers a concise yet comprehensive understanding of current trends,
challenges and future prospects,
equipping them with the knowledge
to navigate the evolving landscape
of orthodontic treatment. As the
field continues to advance, embracing these innovations will be instrumental in delivering superior patient
care and achieving optimal treatment outcomes.
Editorial note: The study, titled
“Advancements in clear aligner fabrication: A comprehensive review of direct-3D printing technologies”, was
published online on 29 January 2024
in Polymers.

Italian researchers test 11 new
3D-printing materials
By Dental Tribune
International
In recent years, the landscape of
dental prosthesis fabrication has
seen a significant shift with the advent of additive manufacturing
technologies. This innovative approach has not only revolutionised
design and manufacturing processes, but also introduced a plethora of new polymer materials tailored for dental applications.
Researchers in Italy have recently investigated the dynamic
mechanical properties and in vitro
biocompatibility of 11 new 3Dprinting dental materials designed
for the fabrication of temporary
crowns and bridges and denture
bases to assess their suitability for
clinical use. They found that the ma-

terials showed potential for absorbing typical masticatory loads.
The study measured the viscoelastic properties of the materials by
subjecting them to a dynamic load
and analysing their deformation and
energy dissipation behaviour under
controlled temperature and frequency conditions (dynamic mechanical analysis) to understand their
behaviour under loads mimicking
those of the oral cavity. It also tested
their cytotoxicity by culturing human
oral mucosa cells on discs of the materials.
The study’s insights into the dynamic mechanical behaviour and biological interactions of these materials
underscore the complex considerations involved in selecting suitable
materials for dental prostheses. It
found that the elastic modulus

(a measure of material stiffness) of the
materials varied with frequency of the
applied force. The mechanical properties at higher frequencies (11–101 Hz)
were more consistent, having no significant changes in stiffness or measurement uncertainty, indicating that
the materials main tained their structural integrity and strength; however,
when subjected to low frequencies,
resembling natural masticatory forces
(1–11 Hz), the materials were more
flexible and less likely to break, but
also exhibited a decrease in strength.
At this frequency, there was significant variability, suggesting these results might be unreliable. These findings point towards a potential reduction in the durability and reliability of
these materials when subjected to the
varying forces within the oral cavity.

The biological assessment found
a significant reduction in cell viability
after 3 and 24 hours of exposure to
these materials, indicating a need for
cautious evaluation of these materials’ long-term interactions with oral
tissue. This reduction in cell viability,
however, showed some signs of recovery after 24 hours, suggesting a
potential decrease in cytotoxicity
over time.
The research team suggested
further exploration of the behaviour
of these materials in artificial saliva to
better simulate oral conditions and
investigation into their use for temporary tooth- or mucosa-supported
prostheses, including their resistance to microbial attacks and biofilm accumulation, particularly by
Candida species. Further microscopic analyses were also suggested

in order to identify any microfractures or structural changes after mechanical testing.
The understanding of these materials’ varying behaviour under dynamic loading conditions and their
interactions with biological tissue
provides a foundation for further research and development in the field
of materials science, ultimately aiming to enhance the performance and
safety of dental prostheses fabricated using additive manufacturing
technologies.
Editorial note: The study, titled “Dynamic mechanical and biological characterization of new 3D-printed polymeric dental materials: A preliminary
study”, was published online on 15
March 2024 in Prosthesis.


[2] => DTMEA_No.3. Vol.14_LT.indd
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MEETING (DTIM)
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DUBAI - UAE

JOIN US IN MADINAT JUMEIRAH ARENA & CONFERENCE CENTRE

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