Influence of experimental post-polymerization chamber in resin composites for 3D printing modified by manganese-doped TiO2 nanoparticles on physical, optical, mechanical and biological properties

Abstract

Additive manufacturing technology, better known as 3D printing, has been gaining popularity because of its versatility of applications, precision, ability to create complex shapes, speed and less waste of inputs. As a property of special interest, the photocatalytic activity performed by the change from insulator to conductor condition by TiO2 nanostructures could have the ability to improve 3D printing solutions already available today. The objective of this work will be to evaluate the influence of the addition of manganese-doped TiO2 nanoparticles to different systems for 3D printing and the post-polymerization method employed on the physical, optical, mechanical and biological properties. Two commercially available systems will be evaluated: Smart Print Bio Vitality resin (Smart Dent, São Carlos, Brazil) using Flashforge Hunter 3D printer (Flashforge, Jinhua, China) and Crown and Bridge resin (DENTCA, Torrance, United States) using the Pro95 S printer (SprintRay, Los Angeles, United States). To test this hypothesis, the incorporation of the nanoparticles into the resins will be carried out in the proportions of 0.5% and 1% by weight and the specimens will be divided into groups according to the additive manufacturing system (resin/3D printer), concentration of incorporated nanoparticles and post-polymerization system to be used. Part of the specimens will be post-polymerized using a post-polymerization chamber with UV light as recommended by the manufacturers and another part will be post-polymerized using an experimental post-polymerization chamber to be built for the execution of this proposal that combines UV light and white light, where the TiO2 nanoparticles could express their maximum photocatalytic activity and then the flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, Knoop microhardness, cross-link density, biological compatibility, color stability, translucency, surface roughness, and accuracy of manufacture will be evaluated. Adopting an overall level of significance of 5%, the results will be analyzed using tests of analysis of variance, Weibull analysis and Tukey's multiple comparison tests. (AU)