Physical Properties Of Dental Model Printing Resins - XDENT LAB

In the era of digital dentistry, 3D-printed dental models play a central role in almost every workflow—from crown and bridge design, aligners, and orthodontic appliances to occlusal analysis and treatment planning. However, not all resins are suitable for printing dental models.

Based on our hands-on experience working with dental labs and technical data from leading manufacturers such as Formlabs, NextDent, and Detax, we have found that dental model resins should prioritize accuracy and dimensional stability over high load-bearing capacity.

This article analyzes the most important physical properties that a dental model resin must possess.

What Is Dental Model Resin?

Dental model resin is a photopolymer material specifically designed for printing dental models used in:

Crown and bridge design and try-ins

• Occlusal analysis

• Aligner production

• Indirect splints and surgical guides

• Physical patient record archiving

Unlike engineering resins or biocompatible resins, dental model resins do not need to withstand high mechanical loads. Instead, they must be highly accurate, dimensionally stable, and capable of reproducing fine details.

Why Choosing the Right Dental Model Resin Matters

In practice, many labs encounter issues such as:

• Slight warping after a few days

• Cumulative errors during prosthetic fitting

• Loss of marginal detail

• Chipping during handling

These problems often stem not from the printer, but from using unsuitable materials. Choosing the right resin helps to: 

• Reduce prosthetic errors

• Improve occlusal accuracy

• Save adjustment time

• Enhance overall output quality

Key Physical Properties of Dental Model Printing Resins

1. Dimensional Accuracy

This is the most critical factor.

A dental model resin should offer:

• Extremely low tolerance (typically < ±50 µm)

• Minimal shrinkage

• Shape stability after post-curing

In practice, even deviations of a few tens of microns can affect crown fit and occlusal contacts.

2. Stiffness and Shape Stability (Stiffness & Modulus)

The model must be rigid enough to resist deformation during:

• Crown placement

• Aligner fitting

• Occlusal checks

• Repeated insertion and removal

Key values:

• Flexural / Tensile Modulus: typically 2–4 GPa

If the resin is too soft → the model may warp slightly.

If it is too brittle → edges may chip easily.

3. Mechanical Strength

Although dental models are not load-bearing like engineering components, they still need sufficient strength to:

• Avoid breaking when removed from the build platform

• Resist edge chipping during handling

• Prevent cracking during transport

Typical values:

• Tensile Strength: 30–60 MPa

• Flexural Strength: 60–100 MPa

4. Thermal Stability (Heat Deflection Temperature – HDT)

In a lab environment, models may be exposed to heat during post-curing or storage.

A suitable resin should have:

• HDT ≥ 50–70°C

If HDT is too low, slight deformation can occur, compromising overall accuracy.

5. Detail Reproduction

A high-quality dental model must clearly reproduce:

• Gingival margins

• Restoration margins

• Occlusal surfaces

• Undercuts

The resin should offer:

• Appropriate viscosity

• No edge bleeding

• No detail loss after curing

6. Chemical Stability and Material Aging

A good resin should:

• Have low moisture absorption

• Resist rapid embrittlement

• Maintain color stability

This is crucial for long-term model storage.

7. Color and Contrast

Although not a mechanical property, color is extremely important in dentistry:

• Gray, beige, or ivory tones

• Matte surface

• Low reflectivity

These features help technicians visualize restoration margins and fine details more easily.

Typical Properties of Dental Model Resins

• Tensile Strength: 30–60 MPa

• Flexural Strength: 70–100 MPa

• Modulus: 2–4 GPa

• Elongation at Break: 5–10%

• Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT): 50–80°C

• Shrinkage: Very low

How to Choose the Right Dental Model Resin for Your Lab

When selecting a resin, prioritize:

• Clear technical specifications

• Manufacturer certification for dental model use

• Long-term dimensional stability

• Suitable color

• Printer compatibility

Conclusion

Dental model resins do not need to withstand high mechanical loads like engineering materials. However, they must deliver high accuracy, excellent dimensional stability, precise detail reproduction, and minimal shrinkage.

Choosing the right material not only improves prosthetic quality but also reduces errors, saves time, and lowers operational costs for dental labs.

References

• [1] Liqcreate Dental Model Pro Grey Resin – High-accuracy dental model resin with excellent dimensional stability and published mechanical properties: Tensile Strength ~49 MPa, Tensile Modulus ~2.3 GPa, Flexural Strength ~89 MPa, Flexural Modulus ~2.4 GPa, Linear Shrinkage ~0.3–0.4% (low).

• [2] Liqcreate Dental Model Pro Beige Resin – Dental model resin with dimensional stability and low shrinkage; tensile and flexural properties suitable for dental models and aligner applications.

• [3] eSUN Dental Model Resin – Example of a dental model resin characterized by high precision, low shrinkage, smooth surface finish, and appropriate tensile and flexural strength values for dental use.

• [4] 3DM-DENT Dental Materials – Dental resins designed for model printing with suitable tensile and flexural modulus ranges and HDT of 60–70°C, demonstrating the importance of thermal stability.

• [5] Formlabs Model Resin (Official Datasheet) – Specialized resin for dental model printing with tensile strength ~48 MPa, tensile modulus ~2.3 GPa, and HDT ~75°C, highlighting the stiffness and accuracy required in this application.

• [6] Formlabs Precision Model Resin – Improved version with increased toughness and impact resistance, with tensile and flexural properties documented in official datasheets.

• [7] Neway3DP Dental Resin Overview – A compilation of dental resin specifications, including tensile strength, flexural modulus, hardness, and print tolerance of ~±0.03–0.05 mm, aligning with the criteria for accurate dental model printing.

XDENT LAB is an expert in Lab-to-Lab Full Service from Vietnam, with the signature services of Removable & Implant, meeting U.S. market standards – approved by FDA & ISO. Founded in 2017, XDENT LAB has grown from local root to global reach, scaling with 2 factories and over 100 employees.. Our state-of-the-art technology, certified technicians, and commitment to compliance make us the trusted choice for dental practices looking to ensure quality and consistency in their products.

Our commitments are:

• 100% FDA-Approved Materials.

• Large-Scale Manufacturing, high volume, remake rate < 1%.

• 2~3 days in lab (*digital file).

• Your cost savings 30%.

• Uninterrupted Manufacturing 365 days a year.

Contact us today to establish a strategy to reduce operating costs.

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Vietnam Dental Laboratory - XDENT LAB

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