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. 2023 May 1;15(9):2164.
doi: 10.3390/polym15092164.

Coffee Staining and Simulated Brushing Induced Color Changes and Surface Roughness of 3D-Printed Orthodontic Retainer Material

Durgesh Bangalore  1 , Abdullah M Alshehri  1 , Omar Alsadon  1 , Samer M Alaqeel  1 , Omar Alageel  1 , Majed M Alsarani  1 , Haitham Almansour  1 , Obaid AlShahrani  1
Affiliations

Coffee Staining and Simulated Brushing Induced Color Changes and Surface Roughness of 3D-Printed Orthodontic Retainer Material

Durgesh Bangalore et al. Polymers (Basel). .

Abstract

This in vitro study evaluated the influence of combined coffee staining and simulated brushing-induced color changes and surface roughness on 3D-printed orthodontic retainers. Specimens measuring 10 × 10 × 0.75 mm3 were obtained either by conventional vacuum forming or 3D printing at four print angulations (0°, 15°, 30°, and 45°) (n = 10). The prepared specimens were immersed in a coffee beverage and then mechanically brushed using a simulating device. The specimen's color difference (ΔE) and surface roughness (Ra) were quantified using a spectrophotometer and a non-contact profilometer, respectively. The highest and lowest mean ΔE values were recorded for the 3D-printed-45° (4.68 ± 2.07) and conventional (2.18 ± 0.87) groups, respectively. The overall mean comparison of ΔE between the conventional and 3D-printed groups was statistically significant (p < 0.01). After simulated brushing, all groups showed a statistically significant increase in the Ra values (p < 0.01). The highest Ra was in the 3D-printed-45° (1.009 ± 0.13 µm) and conventional (0.743 ± 0.12 µm) groups, respectively. The overall ΔE of 3D-printed orthodontic retainers was not comparable to conventional VFRs. Among the different angulations used to print the retainers, 15° angulations were the most efficient in terms of color changes and surface roughness and were comparable to conventional VFRs.

Keywords: 3D printing; color; orthodontic retainer; stereolithography; surface roughness; tooth brushing.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) STL file used for printing 3D specimens; (B) 3D-printed specimens at different angulations.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flow chart illustrating the study process.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mean color changes of the study groups. Bars indicate SD. The dotted lines indicate the perceptibility threshold (PT) and acceptability threshold (AT) limit.
Figure 4
Figure 4
NBS inference of the ΔE values.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Mean surface roughness of the study groups. Bars indicate SD. The dotted line indicates the roughness threshold limit.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Representative profilometer images of the study groups obtained at Ra 1 (A–E) and Ra2 (A1–E1). (A,A1)-Conventional VFRs; (B,B1)-3D-printed—0°; (C,C1)-3D-printed—15°; (D,D1)-3D-printed—30° and; (E,E1)-3D-printed—45°.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Representative SEM micrographs of the study groups obtained before (A–E) and after coffee staining and mechanical brushing (A1–E1). (A,A1)-Conventional VFRs; (B,B1)-3D-printed—0°; (C,C1)-3D-printed—15°; (D,D1)-3D-printed—30°; (E,E1)-3D-printed—45°.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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