Effect of different laser modalities and treatment methods on the surface roughness and alterations of 3D printed resins and PEEK: An in vitro study

Statement of problem The effects of laser irradiation, airborne-particle abrasion, and electrolytic cleaning on the surface roughness of 3-dimensionally (3D) printed resin and PEEK healing abutments remain unclear. Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to examine surface changes after different treatment methods were applied to the surfaces of the different 3D printed resin and PEEK materials used as custom healing abutments. Material and methods Disk-shaped specimens (3×10 mm) were fabricated from three 3D printed resins (VarseoSmile TriniQ, Saremco Print Crowntec, C&B Ceramic Resin) and PEEK (CopraPeek) (N=240). Specimens were assigned to 5 surface treatment groups: erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG), neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG), diode laser, airborne-particle abrasion, and GalvoSurge (n=48). Surface roughness (Ra) was measured at baseline (T0) and after treatment (T1). Representative specimens were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were analyzed using nonparametric tests (α=.05). Results Airborne-particle abrasion and Er:YAG significantly increased surface roughness in all groups (P<.05). The highest roughness was observed in the Crowntec–airborne-particle abrasion group (0.89 ±0.09 µm), and the lowest in the TriniQ–GalvoSurge group (0.09 ±0.02 µm). GalvoSurge caused no significant change in TriniQ and PEEK but increased roughness in C&B and Crowntec. Nd:YAG showed no effect in TriniQ and C&B but increased roughness in Crowntec and PEEK, while diode laser affected only Crowntec (P<.05). SEM analysis confirmed treatment-dependent surface morphology changes. Conclusions Surface treatments altered resin and PEEK surface properties. Airborne-particle abrasion and Er:YAG laser treatments resulted in the greatest increases in surface roughness, while GalvoSurge and diode laser treatments generally caused minimal or nonsignificant changes.