journal article·2026-04-12Open access

Evaluation of Post-Processing Time’s Influence on Biocompatibility of 3D-Printed Denture Base Resins

Miruna Dinescu, Vlad Gabriel Vasilescu, Lucian Toma Ciocan, Bianca Voicu-Balasea, Ana Maria Cristina Țâncu, Alexandra Ripszky, Florin Miculescu, Sabina-Ana Răuță, Alexia-Ecaterina Cârstea, Mihaela Pantea, Marina Imre

Abstract

In the continuous development of additive technologies and light-sensitive resins, the biological performance of 3D-printed resins is strongly dependent on photopolymerization efficiency and post-processing conditions. This study evaluated the effect of post-curing duration on the cellular response to two denture base resins using direct contact and indirect eluate-based pathways. Human gingival fibroblasts were assessed through viability, membrane integrity, nitric oxide production, fluorescence live/dead staining, and caspase-3/7 activity. As a result of contact between the cells and the surface interface of the specimen disks, reduced metabolic activity was noticed compared with the control under direct exposure, indicating cellular stress. Extended polymerization has been demonstrated to improve metabolic activity and reduce apoptotic signals for the V-Print dentbase resin, whereas FotoDent Denture presented a less uniform response under the same parameters. Therefore, for evaluating the cytotoxicity of light-sensitive resins, it is not sufficient to assess only the saliva-soluble substances released from the resin, such as residual monomers, but also the 3D printing parameters.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Dental materials and restorations · 3D Printing in Biomedical Research · Laser Applications in Dentistry and Medicine

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 37 Dionisie Lupu Street, District 2, 020021 Bucharest, Romania

Department of Dental Prostheses Technology, Faculty of Dentistry, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 37 Dionisie Lupu Street, District 2, 020021 Bucharest, Romania

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania

Faculty of Material Science and Engineering, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, 011061 Bucharest, Romania

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