Int J Stomatol ›› 2026, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (5): 676-682.doi: 10.7518/gjkq.2026136

• Digital Oral Medicine Column • Previous Articles    

Research progress on the effect of printing orientation on the properties of 3D printed dental zirconia ceramics

Zhouchuan Cao1(),Jing Zhao1,Keying Shi2,Yuanna Zheng1,2()   

  1. 1.Dept. of VIP Center, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310051, China
    2.Dept. of VIP Center, Ningbo Dental Hospital & Ningbo Oral Health Research Institute, Ningbo 315100, China
  • Received:2025-06-02 Revised:2025-08-20 Online:2026-09-01 Published:2026-08-28
  • Contact: Yuanna Zheng E-mail:ethan_cao20010726@163.com;zyn218@126.com
  • Supported by:
    Horizontal Research Project of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University(352219A00605);Medical and Health Science and Technology Project of Zhejiang Province(2024KY1186)

Abstract:

Zirconia ceramics have been widely used in prosthodontics due to their excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. Presently, milling based on computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing remains the gold standard for producing zirconia ceramic restorations, yet it has certain limitations such as material waste and processing constraints. 3D printing offers a new solution for the production of dental restorations, leveraging its advantages in mate-rial utilization and fine structure processing. The printing orientation is a key parameter which can significantly affect the performance of the definitive zirconia restorations/ceramics. The existing literature has not yet systematically summarized the influence of printing orientation on the performance of 3D printed zirconia ceramics or its mechanisms. Therefore, this paper elucidates the influence of printing orientation on the mechanical properties, microstructure, dimensional accuracy, and other aspects of zirconia restorations/ceramics, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for rationally selecting the printing orientation during prosthesis fabrication.

Key words: zirconia, 3D printing, printing orientation, mechanical properties, microstructure, dimensional accuracy

CLC Number: 

  • R783.1

TrendMD: 
[1] Denry I, Kelly JR. State of the art of zirconia for dental applications[J]. Dent Mater, 2008, 24(3): 299-307.
[2] Teegen IS, Schadte P, Wille S, et al. Comparison of properties and cost efficiency of zirconia processed by DIW printing, casting and CAD/CAM-milling[J]. Dent Mater, 2023, 39(7): 669-676.
[3] Abduo J, Ho G, Centorame A, et al. Marginal accuracy of monolithic and veneered zirconia crowns fabricated by conventional and digital workflows[J]. J Prosthodont, 2023, 32(8): 706-713.
[4] Leitão CIMB, de Oliveira Fernandes GV, Azevedo LPP, et al. Clinical performance of monolithic CAD/CAM tooth-supported zirconia restorations: syste-matic review and meta-analysis[J]. J Prosthodont Res, 2022, 66(3): 374-384.
[5] Xiang D, Xu YX, Bai W, et al. Dental zirconia fabricated by stereolithography: accuracy, translucency and mechanical properties in different build orientations[J]. Ceram Int, 2021, 47(20): 28837-28847.
[6] 麻健丰, 林婷婷, 黄盛斌. 3D打印技术在牙科陶瓷成型领域的研究进展[J]. 口腔医学研究, 2019, 35(2): 107-112.
Ma JF, Lin TT, Huang SB. Research progress of 3D printing in manufacturing dental ceramics[J]. J Oral Sci Res, 2019, 35(2): 107-112.
[7] Branco AC, Colaço R, Figueiredo-Pina CG, et al. Recent advances on 3D-printed zirconia-based dental materials: a review[J]. Materials, 2023, 16(5): 1860.
[8] Ebert J, Özkol E, Zeichner A, et al. Direct inkjet printing of dental prostheses made of zirconia[J]. J Dent Res, 2009, 88(7): 673-676.
[9] Lerner H, Nagy K, Pranno N, et al. Trueness and precision of 3D-printed versus milled monolithic zirconia crowns: an in vitro study[J]. J Dent, 2021, 113: 103792.
[10] Abualsaud R, Abussaud M, Assudmi Y, et al. Phy-siomechanical and surface characteristics of 3D-printed zirconia: an in vitro study[J]. Materials, 2022, 15(19): 6988.
[11] Lyu JZ, Yang X, Li Y, et al. Effect of build angle on the dimensional accuracy of monolithic zirconia crowns fabricated with the nanoparticle jetting technique[J]. J Prosthet Dent, 2023, 130(4): 613.e1-613.e8.
[12] Suominen JM, Frankberg EJ, Vallittu PK, et al. Three-dimensional printing of zirconia: characterization of early stage material properties[J]. Biomater Investig Dent, 2019, 6(1): 23-31.
[13] Cameron AB, Choi JJE, Ip A, et al. Assessment of the trueness of additively manufactured mol3% zirconia crowns at different printing orientations with an industrial and desktop 3D printer compared to subtractive manufacturing[J]. J Dent, 2024, 144: 104942.
[14] Lu YQ, Wang L, de Oliveira Dal Piva AM, et al. Effect of printing layer orientation and polishing on the fatigue strength of 3D-printed dental zirconia[J]. Dent Mater, 2024, 40(2): 190-197.
[15] Marsico C, Øilo M, Kutsch J, et al. Vat polymerization-printed partially stabilized zirconia: mechanical properties, reliability and structural defects[J]. Addit Manuf, 2020, 36: 101450.
[16] Miura S, Shinya A, Ishida Y, et al. Mechanical and surface properties of additive manufactured zirconia under the different building directions[J]. J Prosthodont Res, 2022, 67(3): 410-417.
[17] Rane K, Farid MA, Hassan W, et al. Effect of prin-ting parameters on mechanical properties of extrusion-based additively manufactured ceramic parts[J]. Ceram Int, 2021, 47(9): 12189-12198.
[18] Coppola B, Schmitt J, Lacondemine T, et al. Digital light processing stereolithography of zirconia cera-mics: slurry elaboration and orientation-reliant mechanical properties[J]. J Eur Ceram Soc, 2022, 42(6): 2974-2982.
[19] Quan HY, Zhang T, Xu H, et al. Photo-curing 3D printing technique and its challenges[J]. Bioact Mater, 2020, 5(1): 110-115.
[20] Willems E, Turon-Vinas M, Camargo dos Santos B, et al. Additive manufacturing of zirconia ceramics by material jetting[J]. J Eur Ceram Soc, 2021, 41(10): 5292-5306.
[21] Zhong SP, Shi QM, Deng YL, et al. High-performance zirconia ceramic additively manufactured via NanoParticle Jetting[J]. Ceram Int, 2022, 48(22): 33485-33498.
[22] Schweiger J, Edelhoff D, Güth JF. 3D printing in digital prosthetic dentistry: an overview of recent developments in additive manufacturing[J]. J Clin Med, 2021, 10(9): 2010.
[23] Khorsandi D, Fahimipour A, Abasian P, et al. 3D and 4D printing in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery: printing techniques, materials, and applications[J]. Acta Biomater, 2021, 122: 26-49.
[24] Jerman E, Lümkemann N, Eichberger M, et al. Eva-luation of translucency, Marten's hardness, biaxial flexural strength and fracture toughness of 3Y-TZP, 4Y-TZP and 5Y-TZP materials[J]. Dent Mater, 2021, 37(2): 212-222.
[25] Kyung KY, Park JM, Heo SJ, et al. Comparative analysis of flexural strength of 3D printed and milled 4Y-TZP and 3Y-TZP zirconia[J]. J Prosthet Dent, 2024, 131(3): 529.e1-529.e9.
[26] Hadian A, Fricke M, Liersch A, et al. Material extrusion additive manufacturing of zirconia parts using powder injection molding feedstock compositions[J]. Addit Manuf, 2022, 57: 102966.
[27] Sarwar WA, Kang JH, Yoon HI. Optimized zirconia 3D printing using digital light processing with continuous film supply and recyclable slurry system[J]. Materials, 2021, 14(13): 3446.
[28] Osman RB, van der Veen AJ, Huiberts D, et al. 3D-printing zirconia implants; a dream or a reality? An in-vitro study evaluating the dimensional accuracy, surface topography and mechanical properties of printed zirconia implant and discs[J]. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater, 2017, 75: 521-528.
[29] Zhang Y. Making yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia translucent[J]. Dent Mater, 2014, 30(10): 1195-1203.
[30] dos Santos C, Rosa GO, Quintino MN, et al. Effect of surface finishing and thickness on the translucency of zirconia dental ceramics[J]. Ceram Int, 2020, 46(6): 7748-7755.
[31] Schabbach LM, dos Santos BC, De Bortoli LS, et al. Application of Kubelka-Munk model on the optical characterization of translucent dental zirconia[J]. Mater Chem Phys, 2021, 258: 123994.
[32] Fathy SM, El-Fallal AA, El-Negoly SA, et al. Translucency of monolithic and core zirconia after hydrothermal aging[J]. Acta Biomater Odontol Scand, 2015, 1(2/3/4): 86-92.
[33] Lu Y, Wang L, Dal Piva AMO, et al. Influence of surface finishing and printing layer orientation on surface roughness and flexural strength of stereolithography-manufactured dental zirconia[J]. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater, 2023, 143: 105944.
[34] dos Santos Calderon P, Kogawa EM, Lauris JRP, et al. The influence of gender and bruxism on the human maximum bite force[J]. J Appl Oral Sci, 2006, 14(6): 448-453.
[35] Park JY, Jung YN, Jang KJ, et al. Effect of axis change on shrinkage rate of 3D-printed bioceramic zirconia fabricated via digital light processing[J]. Biomimetics, 2025, 10(3): 140.
[36] Fu XS, Zou B, Xing HY, et al. Effect of printing strategies on forming accuracy and mechanical pro-perties of ZrO2 parts fabricated by SLA technology[J]. Ceram Int, 2019, 45(14): 17630-17637.
[37] Yu XH, Zhao YH, Wang ZG, et al. Microstructure formation mechanisms and property regulation me-thods during ceramic additive manufacturing[J]. J Manuf Process, 2024, 131: 1548-1564.
[38] Zhai ZD, Qian C, Jiao T, et al. Zirconia specimens printed by vat photopolymerization: mechanical pro-perties, fatigue properties, and fractography analysis[J]. J Prosthodont, 2024. doi: 10.1111/jopr.13942 .
doi: 10.1111/jopr.13942
[39] Mou ZW, Zhong JM, Wang F, et al. Zirconia crowns manufactured using digital light processing: effects of build angle and layer thickness on the accuracy[J]. J Dent, 2024, 151: 105359.
[40] Osman R, Alharbi N, Wismeijer D. Build angle: does it influence the accuracy of 3D-printed dental restorations using digital light-processing technology[J]. Int J Prosthodont, 2017, 30(2): 182-188.
[41] Xing HY, Zou B, Li SS, et al. Study on surface qua-lity, precision and mechanical properties of 3D prin-ted ZrO2 ceramic components by laser scanning stereolithography[J]. Ceram Int, 2017, 43(18): 16340-16347.
[42] 王亚宁, 张玉琪, 宋索成, 等. 氧化锆陶瓷扫描光固化成形与脱脂烧结工艺研究[J]. 无机材料学报, 2022, 37(3): 303-309.
Wang YN, Zhang YQ, Song SC, et al. Laser stereolithography for zirconia ceramic fabrication and its debinding and sintering process[J]. J Inorg Mater, 2022, 37(3): 303-309.
[1] Dan Fu,Hao Li. Research progress on the design and process optimization of 3D-printed removable partial denture frameworks [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2026, 53(3): 401-408.
[2] Linfeng He,Fei Liu,Jiefei Shen. Effect of yttria doping content on the optical properties of dental zirconia [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2026, 53(2): 197-204.
[3] Zhihong Feng. Application and experience of digital technology in complete denture restoration [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2025, 52(6): 701-712.
[4] Jie Yu, Jinsong Liu. Surface modification of zirconia implants to promote bone integration [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2025, 52(3): 281-295.
[5] Bo Huang,Jian Wang,Xin Zhang. Zirconia ceramics in dental restoration: evaluation and solutions for low-temperature degradation [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2025, 52(2): 169-175.
[6] Ruizhe Sun,Qianwei Ni,Zhan Gao. Progress in the application of digital technology in brachytherapy for malignant tumors in oral and maxillofacial regions [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2025, 52(1): 18-24.
[7] Mingyang Jiao,Yucui Zhou,Zhengyuan Jiang,Yuxin Liu,Liu Qu. Research progress on digital template technology in endodontic treatment [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2024, 51(5): 550-557.
[8] Xuemin Yao,Hua Wang,Lu Wang,Bin Zhao. Factors influencing the bonding effect of oral translucent zirconia ceramics [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2024, 51(4): 450-455.
[9] Wang Xiao-chen,Wang Jian.. Research progress on preparation forms for the margin of monolithic zirconia crowns in posterior teeth [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2023, 50(4): 485-490.
[10] Yang Mengyao,Gao Xianling,Deng Shuli. Application of electrospun nanofibers in periodontal regeneration [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2023, 50(1): 10-18.
[11] Wang Luming,Cao Xiao,Wu Linyue,Li Yuncong,Lei Bo,Niu Lin. Effect of Zn-doped bioactive glass nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of modified composite resin [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2022, 49(4): 404-411.
[12] Ma Jianbin,Xue Chaoran,Wang Peiqi,Li Bin,Bai Ding.. Effect of 3D printing orthognathic surgical splints with different dental model offsets on occlusal precision [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2022, 49(3): 296-304.
[13] Zeng Fang,Wang Jian. Influencing factors of aesthetic prosthesis performance of monolithic zirconia crowns [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2022, 49(2): 233-238.
[14] Yang Guangmei,Wang Jian. Mechanical properties of monolithic zirconia crowns and its relationship with clinical application [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2022, 49(1): 79-84.
[15] Li Min,Hua Chengge,Jiang Li. Research progress on new technology for improving adhesion properties of zirconia ceramics [J]. Int J Stomatol, 2021, 48(4): 485-490.
Viewed
Full text


Abstract

Cited

  Shared   
  Discussed   
No Suggested Reading articles found!