Effects of postpolymerization time and temperature on the flexural properties and hardness profile of three-dimensional printed provisional resin

Background/purpose: Three-dimensional (3D) printing technique was widely used for provisional restorations in clinical use. However, the effects of post-polymerization temperature and time on the flexural properties and hardness profile were not fully elucidated yet. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of post-polymerization temperature and time on the flexural properties and hardness profile of the provisional restoration. Materials and methods: 3D-printing provisional resin was printed and post-polymerized at various temperatures (room temperature, 40 °C, 60 °C and 80 °C) and periods (0, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min of photopolymerization). Afterwards, the flexural strength, flexural modulus, surface hardness, and internal hardness at different depth were evaluated. Results: The group post-polymerized without concurrent heating had significantly shallow depth of cure comparing to the heating counterparts. The surface hardness of the groups post-polymerized at different temperatures did not show any difference. All groups with post-polymerization temperature at 40 °C, 60 °C and 80 °C and post-polymerization time ranged between 15 and 90 min, had curing depth between 3 and 4 mm. Group post-polymerized without concurrent heating has significantly shallow depth of cure comparing to the heating counterparts. Conclusion: Post-polymerization at an elevated temperature, preferably 60 °C, is suggested. The wall thickness of the 3D-printing provisional prosthesis thinner than 3–4 mm is recommended.