Enabling advancement in 3D printing for dentistry through high-performance materials, new processing techniques and comprehensive metrics

基于光固化的增材制造的发展令人惊叹，它代表了一种罕见的、真正的颠覆性 技术进步。至少在某种程度上快速生产定制模型和功能部件的能力， 向数字库存而非实体库存过渡也非常有吸引力。然而，满 3D打印潜在前景的实现依赖于材料和工艺的持续改进 使用过。 3D 打印零件的可实现性能范围存在显着差距，其中最终材料特性 可以实现高模量/强度和高韧性的结合。我们正在寻求实现跨越式变革 3D 打印材料在坚固的同位素机械性能方面的性能潜力大大增强 分辨率和打印精度。其他方面涉及 3D 打印材料的改进表征，这些材料可以 适用于现有的配方，特别是强调所提出的缺乏单体迁移到和 打印时零件内部的影响会影响最终获得的性能。有两个具体目标指导该项目。 第一个目标涉及两个由独立开发的经过验证的创新方法的互补耦合 PI：1）极高强度和高韧性的光聚合物，匹配甚至超过机械性能 工程塑料的特性无法与 2) 反应性纳米凝胶添加剂组合进行光处理 在聚合之前贡献重要的网络状结构，并具有持续后固化的独特潜力 仅在曝光区域内保持空间隔离，以产生极高分辨率的图案结构。 这些功能结合起来，可以解决当前与 3D 打印相关的一些限制。第二个目标使用 复杂的分析工具和模型以及印刷和印后流程将加深对 基于光聚合物的 3D 打印的复杂性。我们的目标是提供显着更高的性能和 高分辨率 3D 打印材料为实际的实验室甚至办公室生产提供了机会 功能性印刷牙冠、牙桥、假牙和其他口内修复体。这些材料还将增强已经 正畸矫正器、咬合夹板甚至更高分辨率的牙科模型的牙科市场不断增长，而毫无疑问 由于对更高性能材料的需求未得到满足，开辟了目前尚不可用的其他应用领域。我们可以 证明我们的基准材料明显优于传统牙科材料和当前的 3D 打印材料 产品。为阻碍数字牙科逻辑转型的现有挑战提供实用的解决方案 进入基于打印机的临床服务，是该拟议项目的基础。预计这里取得的进展也将 在越来越依赖 3D 打印的众多应用领域中引起共鸣 可用材料的性能得到改善。

The expansion in photocure-based additive manufacturing has been stunning and it represents a rare, truly disruptive technological advancement. The ability to rapidly produce customized models and functional parts to at least some degree, as well as enabling the transition toward digital rather than physical inventories is incredibly attractive. However, full realization of the potential promises of 3D printing is reliant on the sustained improvement in the materials and the processes used. There is a significant gap in the accessible performance spectrum of 3D printed parts where final material properties can be achieved that combine both high modulus/strength and high toughness. We are seeking to deliver a step-change in the performance potential of 3D printable materials in terms of robust, isotopic mechanical properties, greatly enhanced resolution and printing accuracy. Additional aspects deal with improved characterization of 3D printed materials that can apply to both existing formulations and particularly to highlight how the proposed lack of monomer migration into and within parts as they are being printed affects the final properties obtained. There are two specific Aims guiding this project. The first Aim involves the complementary coupling of two proven innovative approaches developed independently by the PI: 1) extremely high strength and high toughness photopolymers that match or even exceed the mechanical performance properties of engineering plastics that cannot be photo-processed in combination with 2) reactive nanogel additives that contribute significant network-like structure ahead of polymerization and the unique potential for continued post cure that remains spatially isolated only within the photo-exposed regions to yield extremely high resolution patterned structures. These features when combined, address several of the current limitations associated with 3D printing. The second Aim uses sophisticated analytical tools and models as well as printing and post-printing processes that will extend understanding of the complexities of photopolymer-based 3D printing. Our goal is to provide access to markedly higher performance and high resolution 3D printing materials that open opportunities for practical in-lab or even in-office production of fully functional printed crowns, bridges, dentures, and other intraoral prosthetics. These materials would also enhance the already growing dental market for orthodontic aligners, bite splints and even for higher resolution dental models while undoubtedly opening additional application areas not currently available due to an unmet need for higher performance materials. We can demonstrate that our baseline materials significantly outperform conventional dental materials and current 3D printed products. Providing a practical solution to the existing challenges that are impeding the logical transition of digital dentistry into printer-based clinical services, is the basis for this proposed project. The advances made here are also expected to resonate throughout the multitude of application areas that are becoming increasingly reliant on 3D printing as the performance of available materials improve.