Surface characteristics and wettability of novel gingival col designed 3-D printed dental sectional matrices

Objective: The physical properties and wettability of 3-D printed Polyethylene terephthalate – glycol (PET-G) and Poly(lactic) acid (PLA) dental sectional matrices were investigated. Methods: Experimental matrices was designed in a rectangular shape one-side depression corresponds to gingival col and without sharp edges and printed on FDM machine Ender Pro 3 (Creality^®, Shenzhen, China). The physical textures, thicknesses, water contact angles were compared to conventional stainless steel (SS) matrix. Results: PETG and PLA sample matrices were clinically single-side smooth compared to SS matrix. PETG specimens had uniformly 0.055 mm whereas PLAs were non-uniformly ∼0.065–0.075 mm in thickness. The mean ± standard deviation (SS) of contact angle for SS was 78.29 ± 0.18, for PETG was 72.09 ± 0.94, for PLA was 73.03 ± 1.17. Conclusion: PETG and PLA dental matrices might have desirable properties: being hydrophobic, non-charged, easy to manufacture and mimicking the gingival col depression in the dental interproximal contact area.