Effect of barium silicate on mechanical properties, transmittance, and protein adsorption of resin for additive manufacturing containing zwitterionic polymer

Statement of problem. Studies on the effect of barium silicate on the material properties of additively manufactured (AM) resins containing 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) for dental applications are lacking. Purpose. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the mechanical properties, transmittance, and protein adsorption of MPC-containing AM resin incorporated with different barium silicate contents and to compare these findings with those of a commercially available unfilled AM resin marketed for definitive restorations. Material and methods. Resins incorporating 6 wt% MPC and 4 different concentrations of barium silicate (10 wt%, MB10; 20 wt%, MB20; 30 wt%, MB30; and 40 wt%, MB40) were prepared. An MPC-containing resin with no filler was also prepared (0 wt%, MBN). Surface roughness (n=15), Vickers hardness (n=15), flexural strength and modulus (n=15), fracture toughness (n=15), transmittance (n=15), and protein adsorption (n=3) of the filled resin specimens were measured and compared with those of commercially available unfilled resin specimens. All data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests (alpha=.05). Results. All experimental resins had higher surface roughness than the unfilled resin (P <=.048). MB40 had higher hardness, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and fracture toughness than most other groups (P <=.047). MB10 had higher transmittance than most other groups (P <=.012). All experimental resins had lower protein adsorption than the unfilled resin, regardless of the barium silicate content (P <=.023). Conclusions. The experimental resin containing 6 wt% MPC and 40 wt% barium silicate showed better mechanical properties and lower protein adsorption than the resin with no MPC or ceramic fillers. Transmittance decreased with the increase of barium silicate in the resins. (J Prosthet Dent 2024;132:465.e1-e8)