International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 05 | May 2025
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
3D Printed Test Teeth Using PLA-Calcium Composite: an FDM Approach Dr. Girish K B1, Dr. Manjunath S H1, Sudeepu L A2, Hemanth J3, Madhuchandra K M4, Chethana G C5 Professor1, Student2,3,4, Research Scholar5, Mechanical Engineering, BGS Institute of Technology, ADICHUNCHANAGIRI UNIVERSITY, B G Nagara -------------------------------------------------------------------------***-----------------------------------------------------------------------applications, addressing the limitations of traditional Abstract: Dental models are essential for education, methods.
research, and clinical practice, yet traditional fabrication methods like plaster casting lack flexibility and costefficiency. This study explores 3D printing of test teeth using a Polylactic Acid (PLA)-Calcium composite via Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) to create realistic, durable, and cost-effective dental models. The composite enhances PLA’s mechanical properties to mimic natural teeth, with calcium additives improving hardness and biocompatibility. The methodology involves CAD modelling, FDM printing with varied infill parameters, and mechanical testing (tensile, compression, and impact). Results show that a 50% infill density with a triangular pattern achieves optimal tensile strength (2.4921 MPa) and compressive strength (35.91 MPa), while an 80% infill maximizes impact toughness (1.7914 kJ/m²). The study concludes that PLA-Calcium composites offer a viable alternative for dental model fabrication, supporting sustainable and customizable solutions for dental education and preclinical testing.
Literature Review The demand for accurate dental models has driven advancements in additive manufacturing. [1] highlighted that PLA, a biodegradable thermoplastic, is biocompatible but lacks the hardness required for dental applications. Incorporating calcium-based fillers, such as hydroxyapatite (HA) or calcium carbonate, improves stiffness and bioactivity [2]. [3] reported that PLA-HA composites significantly enhance tensile strength, while [4] demonstrated bone-like properties in PLA-HA scaffolds, supporting osteogenic differentiation. FDM printing enables precise control over infill density and patterns, impacting mechanical performance [5]. Studies by [6] and [7] emphasize the hierarchical structure of natural teeth, with enamel (96% HA, hardness 3–6GPa) and dentin (elastic modulus 15– 21GPa) requiring materials that balance hardness and toughness. PLA-Calcium composites address these needs by emulating tooth-like properties, making them suitable for dental training models.
Keywords: 3D Printing, PLA-Calcium Composite, Fused Deposition Modelling, Dental Models, Mechanical Testing
Introduction
Research Gap
Dental models are critical tools in dental education, surgical planning, and material testing, traditionally produced using plaster or resin. These methods are labour-intensive, costly, and limited in design flexibility. Additive manufacturing, particularly 3D printing, offers a transformative approach by enabling rapid, precise, and customizable fabrication of dental structures. Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), an economical 3D printing technique, is widely adopted for its accessibility and compatibility with biocompatible materials like Polylactic Acid (PLA).
While PLA-Calcium composites show promise, optimizing infill parameters and achieving microscale accuracy in FDM-printed dental models remain not explored. This study addresses these gaps by systematically evaluating the effects of infill density and patterns on mechanical properties, aiming to produce realistic test teeth for educational and research purposes.
Methodology The methodology involves designing, fabricating, and testing 3D-printed test teeth using PLA-Calcium composite via FDM. The steps are outlined below:
This study focuses on 3D printing test teeth using a PLACalcium composite, where calcium additives enhance mechanical strength and mimic the mineral content of natural teeth. The objectives are to design anatomically accurate tooth models, optimize FDM printing parameters, and evaluate the composite’s mechanical performance through tensile, compression, and impact tests. The outcomes aim to provide cost-effective, durable dental models for educational and preclinical
© 2025, IRJET
|
Impact Factor value: 8.315
1. Material Selection: PLA-Calcium composite filament (1.75 mm diameter) was chosen for its biocompatibility, printability, and enhanced mechanical properties due to calcium additives (e.g., calcium carbonate).
|
ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal
|
Page 1019