Impact of Mouthwash Immersion on 3D-Printed Resin Material: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Surface Hardness, Surface Roughness, Wettability, and Characterization Using FTIR and FE-SEM Techniques.

Background: This study examined how mouthwashes affect the surface hardness, roughness, and wettability of 3D-printed resin material FreePrint® 3D Printing Material (Dental Med Resin Crown). Material and Methods: 40 samples were divided into four groups for each test. The samples were stored in distilled water (control) and Kin Forte, Lacalut Active, and Corsodyl mouthwashes for three months. Every sample was controlled by a robotic arm during immersion. To simulate daily usage, each sample was immersed twice a day for one minute. After immersion, sample hardness, roughness, and wettability were assessed. There were FTIR and FE-SEM tests performed for characterization purposes. Results: Mouthwashes increased surface roughness but did not affect surface hardness. In intergroup comparisons, Kin and Lacalut exhibited a rougher surface than Corsodyl. Hardness assessment groups were not significantly different. One-way ANOVA supported these findings, showing that roughness differences were significant (p=0.01) while hardness differences were not (p=0.879). Conclusions: The mouthwashes reduced the 3D-printed material's surface roughness but not its hardness. Some mouthwashes may change the surface properties of 3D-printed resins, potentially diminishing positive outcomes in the context of prosthodontics.