Flexural resistance of 3D printing resin compared to conventional acrylic resins employed to build occlusal bite splints

Abstract Introduction with the technological advance in dentistry, light-polymerized three-dimensional (3D) printing resins had become an alternative for the manufacture of occlusal splint splints. Objective the present study aimed to analyze the flexural strength of a resin for 3D printing compared to conventional acrylic resins (chemically activated and thermally activated), under the influence of thermocycling. Material and method 60 specimens were made, which were distributed in six experimental groups (n = 10), according to the resin employed (chemically activated acrylic resin, thermally activated acrylic resin and 3D printing resin) and the treatment received (control and thermocycling). The specimens were submitted to flexural strength by the three-point flexural test. Result data analysis showed that the material factor (<0.0001) and the thermocycling factor (p = 0.0096) influenced flexural strength, however, the interaction between the two factors did not (p = 0.9728). Conclusion it was concluded that 3D printing resins presented the lowest flexural resistance to acrylic resins, especially when submitted to thermocycling.