journal article·2026-05-02Open access

Does Aging Affect PolyJet™ 3D-Printed Teeth for Endodontics? A Micro-CT Evaluation

Cláudia Barbosa, Tiago Reis, José B. Reis, Margarida Franco, Catarina Batista, Rui B. Ruben, Benjamín Martín-Biedma, José Martín-Cruces

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the aging effect (6 and 12 months), relative to baseline (0 months), on the dimensional accuracy, morphological stability, and shaping behavior of PolyJet™ 3D-printed teeth (3DPT) produced in two printing orientations (X and Y axes). Specimens (XA0, XA6, XA12, YA0, YA6, YA12) were analyzed using microcomputed tomography before and after root canal preparation with the ProTaper Gold® system. Preoperative analysis included canal volume, centroid, total tooth volume, and total tooth area. Aging-related changes were observed, with significant differences between XA0 and XA12 (p < 0.05), whereas no differences were detected among Y-axis groups (p > 0.05). These findings indicate that X-axis specimens are not comparable over time, while Y-axis specimens maintain baseline consistency. Postoperative evaluation revealed significant differences across aging conditions for most endodontic preparation parameters. Within the limitations of this study, aging had a limited effect on dimensional accuracy but influenced the shaping behavior of 3DPT. Based on these findings, future studies using PolyJet™ 3DPT should report the printing batch and the storage time between fabrication and experimental use, as these factors may influence the comparability and reliability of the results.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Endodontics and Root Canal Treatments · Dental materials and restorations · Dental Research and COVID-19

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

Affiliations

Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry Unit, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15701 Santiago de Compostela, Spain

FP-I3ID, FP-BHS, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Fernando Pessoa, 4200-150 Porto, Portugal

RISE-Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Fernando Pessoa, Fernando Pessoa Teaching and Culture Foundation, 4200-150 Porto, Portugal

CDRSP, Polytechnic University of Leiria, 2430-028 Marinha Grande, Portugal

Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal

Oral Sciences Research Group, Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry Unit, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Santiago de Compostela, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Funding

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

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