Biocompatibility of variable thicknesses of a novel directly printed aligner in orthodontics

Abstract Direct printed aligners (DPAs) offer benefits like the ability to vary layer thickness within a single DPA and to 3D print custom-made removable orthodontic appliances. The biocompatibility of appliances made from Tera Harz TA-28 (Graphy Inc., Seoul, South Korea) depends on strict adherence...

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Main Authors: Maximilian Bleilöb, Claudia Welte-Jzyk, Vanessa Knode, Björn Ludwig, Christina Erbe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-01-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85359-7
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author Maximilian Bleilöb
Claudia Welte-Jzyk
Vanessa Knode
Björn Ludwig
Christina Erbe
author_facet Maximilian Bleilöb
Claudia Welte-Jzyk
Vanessa Knode
Björn Ludwig
Christina Erbe
author_sort Maximilian Bleilöb
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Direct printed aligners (DPAs) offer benefits like the ability to vary layer thickness within a single DPA and to 3D print custom-made removable orthodontic appliances. The biocompatibility of appliances made from Tera Harz TA-28 (Graphy Inc., Seoul, South Korea) depends on strict adherence to a standardized production and post-production protocol, including UV curing. Our aim was to evaluate whether design modifications that increase layer thickness require a longer UV curing time to ensure biocompatibility. Specimens with varying layer thickness were printed to high accuracy using Tera Harz TA-28 and the Asiga MAX 3D printer (Asiga SPS ™ technology, Sydney, Australia). UV curing durations were set at 20, 30 and 60 min. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the AlamarBlue assay on human gingival fibroblasts. Cell viability decreased with increasing specimen thickness (significant for 2 mm [p < 0.001], 4 mm [p < 0.0001], and 6 mm [p < 0.01]) under the manufacturer-recommended 20-min UV curing. Extending the curing time did not improve cell viability. However, cell viability never decreased by more than 30%, meeting EN ISO 10993-5 standards for non-cytotoxicity. The standard 20-minute UV curing protocol ensures the biocompatibility and patient safety of Tera Harz TA-28 for material thicknesses up to 6 mm.
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spelling doaj-art-614307a790974a94948e3f5f5ed0fbc02025-01-26T12:25:13ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-011511810.1038/s41598-025-85359-7Biocompatibility of variable thicknesses of a novel directly printed aligner in orthodonticsMaximilian Bleilöb0Claudia Welte-Jzyk1Vanessa Knode2Björn Ludwig3Christina Erbe4Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University MainzDepartment of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University MainzDepartment of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University MainzDepartment of Orthodontics, University of HomburgDepartment of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University MainzAbstract Direct printed aligners (DPAs) offer benefits like the ability to vary layer thickness within a single DPA and to 3D print custom-made removable orthodontic appliances. The biocompatibility of appliances made from Tera Harz TA-28 (Graphy Inc., Seoul, South Korea) depends on strict adherence to a standardized production and post-production protocol, including UV curing. Our aim was to evaluate whether design modifications that increase layer thickness require a longer UV curing time to ensure biocompatibility. Specimens with varying layer thickness were printed to high accuracy using Tera Harz TA-28 and the Asiga MAX 3D printer (Asiga SPS ™ technology, Sydney, Australia). UV curing durations were set at 20, 30 and 60 min. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the AlamarBlue assay on human gingival fibroblasts. Cell viability decreased with increasing specimen thickness (significant for 2 mm [p < 0.001], 4 mm [p < 0.0001], and 6 mm [p < 0.01]) under the manufacturer-recommended 20-min UV curing. Extending the curing time did not improve cell viability. However, cell viability never decreased by more than 30%, meeting EN ISO 10993-5 standards for non-cytotoxicity. The standard 20-minute UV curing protocol ensures the biocompatibility and patient safety of Tera Harz TA-28 for material thicknesses up to 6 mm.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85359-7Digital orthodontics3D printed aligners3D printingClear alignerAligner therapyDirect printed aligners
spellingShingle Maximilian Bleilöb
Claudia Welte-Jzyk
Vanessa Knode
Björn Ludwig
Christina Erbe
Biocompatibility of variable thicknesses of a novel directly printed aligner in orthodontics
Scientific Reports
Digital orthodontics
3D printed aligners
3D printing
Clear aligner
Aligner therapy
Direct printed aligners
title Biocompatibility of variable thicknesses of a novel directly printed aligner in orthodontics
title_full Biocompatibility of variable thicknesses of a novel directly printed aligner in orthodontics
title_fullStr Biocompatibility of variable thicknesses of a novel directly printed aligner in orthodontics
title_full_unstemmed Biocompatibility of variable thicknesses of a novel directly printed aligner in orthodontics
title_short Biocompatibility of variable thicknesses of a novel directly printed aligner in orthodontics
title_sort biocompatibility of variable thicknesses of a novel directly printed aligner in orthodontics
topic Digital orthodontics
3D printed aligners
3D printing
Clear aligner
Aligner therapy
Direct printed aligners
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-85359-7
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