Stainability of 3D-printed resins for denture base and artificial teeth

Background: The 3D-printed resins for denture bases and artificial teeth are susceptible to staining from the colorants. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the color stability of 3D-printed denture base and artificial teeth resins submitted to staining by beverages for the simulated periods of 3, 6 and 12 months. Methods: Discs (15 × 3 mm) of denture bases resins [Lucitone 550 (n = 50), Cosmos Denture (n = 50) and NextDent Denture 3D+ (n = 50)] and artificial teeth resins [Duralay (n = 50) and Cosmos Temp (n = 50)] were manufactured. A spectrophotometer evaluated color stability after immersion in: instant coffee, cola, tea, red wine and distilled water, simulating periods of 3, 6 and 12 months of consumption. The data (ΔE00) were submitted to Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) and Bonferroni post-test (α = 0.05). The perceptibility and acceptability thresholds of color change was set at PT/AT: ΔE00 = 1.7/4.1. Results: The Cosmos Denture resin showed greater color change after immersion in coffee and red wine for most periods at unacceptable levels, in comparison to Lucitone and NextDent. The ΔE00 values for NextDent and Lucitone resins were similar to each other regardless of the beverage and the period evaluated. For artificial teeth resins, Cosmos Temp predominantly reached unacceptable levels of staining in most cases, showing visible color changing due to exposure to instant coffee and red wine. Duralay and Cosmos Temp exhibited a time-dependent discoloration. Conclusions: It was concluded that the Cosmos Denture resin presented the greatest changes in color stability in relation to other denture base resins for coffee and red wine. The 3D-printed denture base resin NextDent showed similar behavior of color change in relation to the conventional heat-polymerized denture base resin, irrespective of the beverage and immersion period. The Cosmos Temp artificial teeth resin showed unacceptable color stability compared to Duralay when immersed in coffee and red wine, irrespective of the period.