Antifungal Activity and Biocompatibility of 3D-printed Antifungal Denture Base Resins

Objectives: Compare antifungal activity and biocompatibility of various experimental antifungal denture base resin prepared by 3D printing versus conventional (heat cure) method.
Methods: Disc specimens (10 mm diameter, 1 mm thick, n=5 per group) of denture base resin were prepared by 3D printing of Dentca Denture Base II (DENTCA, Torrance, CA USA) on Freeform PRO2 3D printer (ASIGA, Sydney, Australia) or by heat cure of Ivocap High Impact denture base resin (Ivoclar Vivadent). Each method included 5% DMDABCO-C16-C2, 5% DMDABCO-C12-C2, 5% DMDABCO-C11-C2, 5% fluconazole (an antifungal drug, positive control), and no monomer (negative control). Antifungal activity against Candida albicans (SC5314) and cytotoxicity against periodontal ligament cells (PDL), gingival fibroblasts (GF), and oral epithelial cells were tested. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey test, a=0.05).
Results: Despite slight differences in the antifungal activity among different groups, there were no statistically significant differences for disks prepared by 3D printing versus heat cure. Likewise, mammalian cell cytotoxicity was unaffected by 3D printing.
Conclusions:
Results suggest that 3D printing technology can be applied for the manufacturing of antimicrobial denture base resin.