Effect of post-processing alcohol washing time on the hardness and flexural strength of 3D-printed permanent dental resins

Büşra Tosun; Zeynep Şen Yılmaz; Nur Uysal

doi:10.38053/acmj.1869798

Effect of post-processing alcohol washing time on the hardness and flexural strength of 3D-printed permanent dental resins

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of different alcohol washing durations on the hardness and flexural strength of a 3D-printed permanent dental resin, considering their critical role in clinical longevity. Methods: Fifty bar-shaped specimens (25×2×2 mm) were fabricated using VarseoSmile TriniQ (BEGO, Bremen, Germany) permanent dental resin. The specimens were divided into five groups (n=10) according to alcohol washing times: 3, 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes. Following washing in 99.5% ethanol, all specimens underwent standardized light postcuring. Hardness was measured using a Shimadzu microhardness tester, and flexural strength was assessed using an Instron universal testing machine through a three-point bending test. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, with the significance level set at p<0.05. Results: Alcohol washing time had a statistically significant effect on both hardness and flexural strength (p<0.001). Specimens washed for 3 minutes (21.64±3.69) and 5 minutes (18.27±2.51) exhibited significantly higher hardness values compared to those washed for 10, 15, and 20 minutes. Flexural strength showed a similar trend, with the highest strength recorded in the 3-minute group (23.19±1.02) and a progressive decrease observed with longer washing times, reaching the lowest values in the 20-minute group (17.71±1.16). Conclusion: Prolonged alcohol washing times negatively affected the mechanical properties of the 3D printed permanent dental resin. Shorter washing durations (3-5 minutes) better preserved surface hardness and flexural strength, indicating that excessive alcohol exposure may compromise material integrity. These results emphasize the necessity of optimizing post-processing protocols to ensure the long-term mechanical performance and clinical durability of 3D-printed permanent restorations.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This article does not require ethics committee approval as it does not involve human or animal studies

References

Jandyal A, Chaturvedi I, Wazir I, Raina A, Ul Haq MI. 3D printing-a review of processes, materials and applications in industry 4.0. Sustain Oper Comput. 2022;3:33-42. doi:10.1016/j.susoc.2021.09.004
Perea-Lowery L, Gibreel M, Vallittu PK, et al. Evaluation of the mechanical properties and degree of conversion of 3D printed splint material. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2021;115:104254. doi:10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.104254
Mayer J, Stawarczyk B, Vogt K, Hickel R, Edelhoff D, Reymus M. Influence of cleaning methods after 3D printing on two-body wear and fracture load of resin-based temporary crown and bridge material. Clin Oral Investig. 2021;25:5987-5996. doi:10.1007/s00784-021-03905-9
Hassanpour M, Narongdej P, Alterman N, Moghtadernejad S, Barjasteh E. Effects of post-processing parameters on 3D-printed dental appliances: a review. Polymers (Basel). 2024;16:2795. doi:10.3390/polym16192795
Wazeer A, Das A, Sinha A, Inaba K, Ziyi S, Karmakar A. Additive manufacturing in biomedical field: a critical review on fabrication method, materials used, applications, challenges, and future prospects. Prog Addit Manuf. 2023;8:857-889. doi:10.1007/s40964-022-00362-y
Reymus M, Fabritius R, Keßler A, Stawarczyk B, Edelhoff D, Hickel R. Fracture load of 3D-printed fixed dental prostheses compared with milled and conventionally fabricated ones: the impact of resin material, build direction, post-curing, and artificial aging-an in vitro study. Clin Oral Investig. 2020;24:701-710. doi:10.1007/s00784-019-02952-7
Karakurt I, Lin L. 3D printing technologies: techniques, materials, and post-processing. Curr Opin Chem Eng. 2020;28:134-143. doi:10.1016/j.coche.2020.04.001
Revilla‐León M, Meyers MJ, Zandinejad A, Özcan M. A review on chemical composition, mechanical properties, and manufacturing work flow of additively manufactured current polymers for interim dental restorations. J Esthet Restor Dent. 2019;31:51-57. doi:10.1111/jerd.12438

Jin G, Gu H, Jang M, et al. Influence of postwashing process on the elution of residual monomers, degree of conversion, and mechanical properties of a 3D printed crown and bridge materials. Dent Mater. 2022;38:1812-1825. doi:10.1016/j.dental.2022.09.017
Imazato S, Horikawa D, Nishida M, Ebisu S. Effects of monomers eluted from dental resin restoratives on osteoblast‐like cells. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater. 2009;88:378-386. doi:10.1002/jbm.b.31067
Jeršovaitė J, Šarachovaitė U, Matulaitienė I, Niaura G, Baltriukienė D, Malinauskas M. Biocompatibility enhancement via post-processing of microporous scaffolds made by optical 3D printer. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2023;11:1167753. doi:10.3389/fbioe.2023.1167753
Accorinte MdLR, Loguercio AD, Reis A, Muench A, de Araújo VC. Adverse effects of human pulps after direct pulp capping with the different components from a total-etch, three-step adhesive system. Dent Mater. 2005;21:599-607. doi:10.1016/j.dental.2004.08.008
Šimunović L, Jurela A, Sudarević K, Bačić I, Haramina T, Meštrović S. Influence of post-processing on the degree of conversion and mechanical properties of 3D-printed polyurethane aligners. Polymers. 2023;16:17. doi:10.3390/polym16010017
Oh R, Lim J-H, Lee C-G, Lee KW, Kim SY, Kim JE. Effects of washing solution temperature on the biocompatibility and mechanical properties of 3D-Printed dental resin material. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2023;143:105906. doi:10.1016/j.jmbbm.2023.105906
Liu Y, Jin G, Lim J-H, Kim J-E. Effects of washing agents on the mechanical and biocompatibility properties of water-washable 3D printing crown and bridge resin. Sci Rep. 2024;14:9909. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-60450-7
Drummond JL. Degradation, fatigue, and failure of resin dental composite materials. J Dent Res. 2008;87:710-719. doi:10.1177/154405910808700802
ISO 4049:2009 Dentistry-Polymer-based filling, restorative, and luting materials ISO 4049:201.
Öztürk Z, Tosun B. Comparison of 3D printed and conventional denture base materials in terms of durability and performance characteristics. Sci Rep. 2025;15:18234. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-01685-w
Lee EH, Ahn JS, Lim YJ, Kwon HB, Kim MJ. Effect of post-curing time on the color stability and related properties of a tooth-colored 3D-printed resin material. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2022;126:104993. doi:10. 1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104993
Soto-Montero J, de Castro EF, Romano BDC, Nima G, Shimokawa CAK, Giannini M. Color alterations, flexural strength, and microhardness of 3D printed resins for fixed provisional restoration using different post-curing times. Dent Mater. 2022;38:1271-1282. doi: 10.1016/j.dental.2022. 06.023
Xu Y, Xepapadeas AB, Koos B, Geis-Gerstorfer J, Li P, Spintzyk S. Effect of post-rinsing time on the mechanical strength and cytotoxicity of a 3D printed orthodontic splint material. Dent Mater. 2021;37:e314-e327. doi: 10.1016/j.dental.2021.01.016
Jang W, Kook G-S, Kang J-H, et al. Effect of washing condition on the fracture strength, and the degree of conversion of 3D printing resin. Appl Sci. 2021;11:11676. doi:10.3390/app112411676
Mohammed AQ, Mohammed AK. Evaluation the biocompatibility and hardness of 3D printed resin material with different times and many rinsing solutions. AIP Conf Proc. 2024;030023. doi:10.1063/5.0211067
Schneider LFJ, Moraes RR, Cavalcante LM, et al. Cross-link density evaluation through softening tests: effect of ethanol concentration. Dent Mater. 2008;24:199-203. doi:10.1016/j.dental.2007.03.010
Sideridou ID, Karabela MM, Bikiaris DN. Aging studies of light cured dimethacrylate-based dental resins and a resin composite in water or ethanol/water. Dent Mater. 2007;23:1142-1149. doi:10.1016/j.dental.2006.06.049
Hwangbo N-K, Nam N-E, Choi J-H, Kim J-E. Effects of the washing time and washing solution on the biocompatibility and mechanical properties of 3D printed dental resin materials. Polymers (Basel). 2021; 13:4410. doi:10.3390/polym13244410
Ito S, Hashimoto M, Wadgaonkar B, et al. Effects of resin hydrophilicity on water sorption and changes in modulus of elasticity. Biomater. 2005; 26:6449-6459. doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2005.04.052
Di Fiore A, Stellini E, Alsayed HD, Alhotan A. Influence of different post-washing solutions on the mechanical and surface properties of 3D-printed material for definitive restorations: an in vitro study. J Dent. 2025:105980. doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2025.105980
Katheng A, Prawatvatchara W, Tonprasong W, Namano S, Kongkon P. Effect of postrinsing times and methods on surface roughness, hardness, and polymerization of 3D-printed photopolymer resin. Eur J Dent. 2025;19:154-164. doi:10.1055/s-0044-1786866
Finck NS, Fraga MAA, Correr AB, Dalmaschio CJ, Rodrigues CS, Moraes RR. Effects of solvent type and UV post-cure time on 3D-printed restorative polymers. Dent Mater. 2024;40:451-457. doi:10.1016/j.dental. 2023.12.005

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Prosthodontics

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Büşra Tosun
0000-0003-3145-4454
Türkiye

Zeynep Şen Yılmaz ^*
0000-0001-5478-7708
Türkiye

Nur Uysal
0009-0006-5426-4935
Türkiye

Publication Date

March 10, 2026

Submission Date

January 24, 2026

Acceptance Date

March 2, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1869798

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA96UR96ZX

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Tosun, B., Şen Yılmaz, Z., & Uysal, N. (2026). Effect of post-processing alcohol washing time on the hardness and flexural strength of 3D-printed permanent dental resins. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, 8(2), 358-363. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1869798

AMA

1.Tosun B, Şen Yılmaz Z, Uysal N. Effect of post-processing alcohol washing time on the hardness and flexural strength of 3D-printed permanent dental resins. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026;8(2):358-363. doi:10.38053/acmj.1869798

Chicago

Tosun, Büşra, Zeynep Şen Yılmaz, and Nur Uysal. 2026. “Effect of Post-Processing Alcohol Washing Time on the Hardness and Flexural Strength of 3D-Printed Permanent Dental Resins”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8 (2): 358-63. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1869798.

EndNote

Tosun B, Şen Yılmaz Z, Uysal N (March 1, 2026) Effect of post-processing alcohol washing time on the hardness and flexural strength of 3D-printed permanent dental resins. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8 2 358–363.

IEEE

[1]B. Tosun, Z. Şen Yılmaz, and N. Uysal, “Effect of post-processing alcohol washing time on the hardness and flexural strength of 3D-printed permanent dental resins”, Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 358–363, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.38053/acmj.1869798.

ISNAD

Tosun, Büşra - Şen Yılmaz, Zeynep - Uysal, Nur. “Effect of Post-Processing Alcohol Washing Time on the Hardness and Flexural Strength of 3D-Printed Permanent Dental Resins”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8/2 (March 1, 2026): 358-363. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1869798.

JAMA

1.Tosun B, Şen Yılmaz Z, Uysal N. Effect of post-processing alcohol washing time on the hardness and flexural strength of 3D-printed permanent dental resins. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026;8:358–363.

MLA

Tosun, Büşra, et al. “Effect of Post-Processing Alcohol Washing Time on the Hardness and Flexural Strength of 3D-Printed Permanent Dental Resins”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, vol. 8, no. 2, Mar. 2026, pp. 358-63, doi:10.38053/acmj.1869798.

Vancouver

1.Büşra Tosun, Zeynep Şen Yılmaz, Nur Uysal. Effect of post-processing alcohol washing time on the hardness and flexural strength of 3D-printed permanent dental resins. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026 Mar. 1;8(2):358-63. doi:10.38053/acmj.1869798