(TC03) Stratasys Printed 3D Mandibular Molar With Tooth Anatomy and Texture

Our goal was to print a human mandibular molar using CBCT scans of said molar and the Stratasys 3D printer. The printed tooth should possess the same crown and root anatomy, as well as root canal anatomy, of the scanned tooth, along with replicating the tooth’s texture and enamel, dentin, and cementum hardness. One mandibular first molar was scanned (Carestream Dental CS 9600 CBCT) and printed (Stratasys 3D multi-material printer). A (Micromet 5104) hardness tester was used to measure the hardness of the printed tooth. Nine combinations of two different materials (Stratasys Vero Pure White and Agilus 30 Clear material) were used to print the tooth. A Vickers hardness test was performed on each of the nine combinations to determine whether or not the printed tooth had a similar hardness to a natural tooth. This study illustrated that the methods utilized can accurately replicate the root canal and external anatomy of a human mandibular molar [p >0.05]. We also attempted to identify a Stratasys printed plastic material with the same hardness as enamel, dentin, and cementum. In the printed teeth, all three printed entities had significantly softer enamel, dentin, and cementum. Based on our results, we could not adequately create printed teeth with the same hardness as natural teeth [p < 0.05]. More research and development need to be invested into this endeavor to accomplish such.