Assessment of thermal and flexural properties of 3D-printed denture base after addition of YSZ nanoparticles

Integrating nanoparticles into 3D-printed denture base resin has been demonstrated to attain innovative biomedical and physicomechanical characteristics, paving the way for a new generation of advanced nanocomposites. Whereas additive manufacturing technology presents a significant development in prosthodontics, delivering efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and a helpful approach for creating high-quality prostheses, achieving superior mechanics in 3D-printed denture resins remains challenging despite good biocompatibility and aesthetics. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of incorporating varying concentrations of yttria-stabilized zirconia nanoparticles (YSZ NPs) (1%, 3%, 5%, and 7%) into 3D-printed denture base resin on the thermal and flexural properties. A total of one hundred specimens were made up in dimensions per particular test and divided into five groups. A thermal Constants Analyzer TPS 500R, three-point bending test, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) were employed to measure thermal conductivity, flexural strength, and the specimens’ microstructure, respectively. The study results verified that adding YSZ NPs to a 3D-printed denture resin significantly enhanced its thermal and flexural properties ( p < 0.05) compared to unmodified resin. These findings demonstrate the potential to develop a novel 3D-printed nanocomposite denture base with enhanced material performance. The need for further search for alternative denture base materials and the expedition for materials that combine desirable aesthetics, ease of processing, and enhanced physical and mechanical properties continue active research areas in the contemporary dentistry field.