Abstract
The recent pandemic has demonstrated an urgent need for not only improved PPE, but also the availability of 3D printable materials that can be used and printed on demand in a healthcare environment. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of 5 antiviral fillers (5 and 10 w/w%) on the photopolymerization kinetics, depth of cure and flexural strength on a surgical guide3Dprintingresinusedindentistry. Fivedifferentantiviralfillers[BioSafeGlass(quaternary ammonium modified glass) and 4 different zeolites doped with different ion releasing capabilities (Ag only, Cu only, Ag/Cu and Ag/Zn)] were studied. The photopolymerization kinetics on thin films of these mixtures was measured using FTIR-ATR. The depth of cure was measured using the ISO4049 method. Flexural strength was assessed using specimens with a 2mm x 2mm x 20mm geometry in 3-point bend. Inclusion of up to 10 wt% of the fillers did not significantly affect the rate of polymerization of the thin films. While different fillers reduced the depth of cure to varying degrees, all of the composites cured to a depth that well exceeded the resolution of SLA 3D printed parts. Inclusion of 5 and 10 wt% BioSafe glass resulted in a significant decrease in the flexural strength of the composite relative to the neat resin. The zeolite filled composites either had comparable (5 and 10 wt% Cu; 5 wt% Ag, 5 and 10 wt% Ag/Cu) flexural strength to the neat resin or statistically increased (10 wt% Ag and 5 and 10 w% Ag/Zn) the flexural strength. 3D-printable resins mixed with antiviral fillers have the potential to be prepared as colloids for use as 3D printed parts for use in dentistry.