TRY-23 Application Guide
1. PRODUCT INFORMATION
1.1 Product description:
TRY-23 is a light-curable polymer-based resin designed for the fabrication of biocompatible, short-term use, removable dental appliances by 3D printing. It is intended for 3D printing dental implant accessories such as dental try-in models.
1.2 Intended use:
TRY-23 is a photopolymer resin intended for 3D printing biocompatible dental try-in models that allow the dental professional to verify fit, occlusion, and aesthetics prior to final denture fabrication.
1.3 Material associated warnings:
TRY-23 in its uncured state contains monomers that polymerize during 3D printing. Please read MSDS of TRY-23 material which is available at https://ameralabs.com/msds/ for hazards associated with liquid material.
The uncured liquid resin is not safe for contact with food, drinks, or the human body. In its liquid, uncured state, this resin is a hazardous chemical. Use protective gloves and glasses at all times when handling it. Provide adequate ventilation. Store resin at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Resins are classified as dangerous chemicals and must be disposed of properly in designated containers. Resin bottles, empty or full, must never be disposed of or poured into general waste.
2. REQUIREMENTS
2.1 Hardware
2.1.1 3D printer
In order to print with TRY-23 3D printing material for try-in denture models, you need LCD/mSLA or DLP 3D printer with the light source of 385 nm or 405 nm. If your machine has recommended settings on our website, they should be a good starting point and fine-tuned according to your environment if needed. Usually, each machine and work environment is relatively unique, thus, some minor adjustments to printing settings may be needed. We keep 3D printings settings up to date on our website.
2.1.2 Resin tray and build platform
You also need a separate resin tank and build platform to ensure biocompatibility for products made with TRY-23 material. In general, you should always use a separate resin tray and build platform for biocompatible resins. If resin is mixed with another material, biocompatibility of a product could be compromised.
2.1.3 Washing equipment
A regular washing station with magnetic stirring could be used. However, regular sealed containers could be used as well. It is important that washing stations are dedicated to biocompatible materials, as using one washing station with other resins will compromise biocompatibility.
2.1.4 Post-curing equipment
General post-curing equipment with 385 nm, 395 nm or/and 405 nm light sources could be used.
2.2 Software
We do not have strict requirements for 3D printing software as it depends on your 3D printer. You could use any software you like as long as it fulfils your requirements and works best for you. In this usage guide we will be using Asiga Composer.
2.3 Materials
Apart from TRY-23 material for 3D printing, you will also need 99% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) used for cleaning manufactured objects.
2.4 Safety equipment
In order to work safely, protective eyewear, nitrile gloves and laboratory clothing are required. Moreover, air ventilation is mandatory in the room with at least 4 times/hour air exchange. Otherwise do your work, including 3D printing, in the fume hood.
We also do recommend wearing half facepiece reusable respirator with gas and vapor filters.
3. TRY-IN DESIGN
3.1 Recommended design parameters
Design of the try-in denture model may vary case-by-case and depending on the software package you use. Nonetheless, adjust design settings thoroughly and carefully to ensure precision, comfort and, most importantly, safety. We have prepared general guidelines that could be followed when designing denture try-in model. Modify these design settings according to your situation and experience.
| Setting | Recommendation |
| Hollowing | If needed, hollow your models. This helps ensure correct geometry, save material, and get the fastest printing. Moreover, solid models with large cross-sectional area could significantly damage your resin tray’s bottom film. |
| Wall thickness | We recommend setting it to at least 2 mm. Too thin a wall could result structural instabilities and weaker structures. A wall that is too thick, however, could cause printing issues due too large cross-sectional area and loss of precision due to higher material shrinkage. |
| Raft | Set its thickness to 4-5 layer thicknesses. If you use raft, avoid setting it too thick. We recommend 0.2-0.3 mm if you print at 50 um layer height. Rule of thumb is to set it up to 5 layer thicknesses. A raft that is too thick will create layers with very large cross-sectional area that could damage your tray’s film and produce harsh adhesion to bottom film. It is also a common cause of delaminated initial layers and print failures at the very start of printing. |
| Model reinforcement | When printing full arch models, consider adding a sinter bar without a supporting bar, a closed sinter bar with a supporting bar and a milled-out inner body or a closed sinter bar with a supporting bar and a filled inner body. Moreover, other reinforcement structures can be used that you may know of. Doing this will help to sustain geometry intact and save model from any deformations that may occur. Bar thickness should be chosen to expert’s liking, keeping in mind that it has to be removed during post-processing. |
The exact step-by-step design varies by software package. For detailed advice on designing denture try-in models, contact your software manufacturer.
4. 3D PRINTING
4.1 Defining printing parameters
Before importing actual 3D model into the software, we highly recommend setting up your software with appropriate 3D printing parameters, such as exposure times, lifting distances, and various speeds.
For the first print using this material, it is advised to print something small first. We recommend the AmeraLabs Town calibration model.
These parameters highly depend on the machine being used. The list of validated 3D printers and corresponding parameters can be found on our website.
NOTE: The list of 3D printers on our website is not definitive. It represents our tested and validated set of machines. It is possible to use other 3D printers as long as correct exposure and other settings are obtained. Feel free to contact us if you need help determining the correct 3D printing parameters.
4.2 Importing models
Open software package of your choice and import *.STL (or *.OBJ if supported) file.
4.3 Orient your model
Position the denture try-in model at a slight angle.
The surface that faces the build platform also highly depends on each case. If a denture model will be used for an edentulous jaw (or mouth) it is common to orient it with the intaglio surface toward the build platform. On the other hand, if you are making removable partial denture, then it is also possible to orient the model with the intaglio surface facing away from the build platform. These considerations are important as touchpoints of support structures on critical surfaces will result in additional labor when removing them.
| Parameter | Value |
| Strut diameter, mm | 1.0 – 1.2 |
| Tip diameter, mm | 0.3 |
| Density | High |
| Raft thickness, mm | 0.2 |
| Contact point spacing, mm | 3 |
| Main pillar spacing, mm | 6 |
Always protect critical surfaces from support structures and concentrate them on the perimeter edge of the model. Using this practice allows to remove support structures from model surface more easily. The most attention must be paid to parts closest to the build platform, where the highest support density should be. Don’t forget to densify support structures on protruding areas, that can encounter failure due to low self-support. For very large parts, it is recommended to add a few thicker support structures, with tip diameter of 0.5 mm, on parts closest to the build platform.
4.4 Prepare the printer and resin
WARNING: When handling any 3D printing resin, make sure you wear nitrile gloves.
WARNING: 3D printing resins can cause damage to your eyes. Always wear protective eyewear when dealing with liquid resins.
WARNING: Make sure you are in a well-ventilated area during the 3D printing and post-processing. Ventilation of at least 4 times/hour air exchange is recommended.
WARNING: Always wear appropriate clothing when working with resins to avoid skin contact.
RECOMMENDATIONS: We highly recommend wearing half facepiece reusable respirator with gas and vapor filters when working with liquid resin and staying in the room with open resin containers.
Prepare your 3D printer by inserting your dedicated TRY-23 resin tray and build platform.
NOTE: Do not forget to use a dedicated resin tray and build platform to print biocompatible products.
Make sure your printer’s build platform is well-levelled. Levelling procedure is different for each 3D printer.
Contact your printer manufacturer for build platform levelling instructions.
NOTE: Shake the resin bottle thoroughly before pouring it into the resin tray. It is hard to emphasize how critical it is to mix and shake the resin before printing.
Pour the well shaken resin into the resin tray to the desired level. Do not exceed the maximum marker on the resin tray.
4.5 Start print
When you are all set, send the job to the 3D printer or export it to a memory card and load it to the machine.
Be aware of correct ambient temperature during the 3D printing. TRY-23 should be used when it is around 25 °C.
5. POST-PROCESSING
Post-processing 3D printed try-in denture models involves multiple steps, such as removing the part from the build plate, removing supports, rinsing, drying, post-curing and sanding/polishing.
5.1 Part removal
We recommend removing printed parts right after 3D printing and before cleaning, but part removal can also be done post-cleaning. In order to remove parts from the build platform, first remove the platform from the printer. Use a removal tool, such as a metal spatula, and slide it under the base of the printed part.
Place the platform on the hard surface while removing the part. It will significantly reduce the likelihood of injury.
Use your wrist instead of your hand muscles when removing the part. The wrist has a lot more control capabilities than the entire hand. Moreover, wrist movements have a relatively low amplitude compared to hand movements, which significantly reduces the likelihood of accidental, uncontrolled motions that could cause injury during part removal.
5.2 Remove supports
Support structures can be removed either right after 3D printing or post-curing. As post-curing could cause unwanted warpage, existing supports can help preserve the correct geometry and avoid warpage. On the other hand, support removal after post-curing could be more difficult as material becomes harder and relatively brittle.
5.2.1 Removing supports after printing
Supports can be removed using flush cutters or similar tools. Cut the supports at touchpoints attached to the denture try-in model. Material at this point is relatively soft and it is easier to remove supports.
5.2.2 Removing support after post-curing
After cleaning and post-curing supports could be removed using flush cutters or specialized equipment like hand-held disc cutters.
WARNING: Be aware that the material is more brittle and harder after post-curing. Make sure you wear eye protection.
WARNING: Material dust is dangerous. If you use disc cutter or sanding tools, make sure you use suitable respirators or half facepiece reusable respirator with appropriate filters.
Inspect the part carefully when removing supports, especially after post-curing. If any kind of cracks or damage is detected, discard the model.
5.3 Part washing in isopropyl alcohol
5.3.1 Washing station
If you do own a washing station with magnetic stirring, put the part into the metal gasket and fill container with fresh 99 % isopropyl alcohol. Make sure that the part is fully submerged and check that during cleaning part also stays submerged.
Set the timer to 10 minutes and start cleaning.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Use a dedicated washing station for biocompatible materials. Do not mix dirty IPA with biocompatible and non-biocompatible materials as that could compromise biocompatibility of printed part.
5.3.2 Ultrasonic cleaner
Put the printed part in a plastic (preferably HDPE) container or a glass beaker filled with fresh 99 % IPA. Make sure that the part is fully submerged in IPA. Place that container into ultrasonic bath filled with water and run the sonication from 3 to 5 minutes, swirl it around and sonicate for another 3 to 5 minutes.
5.3.3 Regular closed containers
If you do not have automated cleaning equipment, you can clean the part manually using regular sealed plastic (preferably HDPE) containers. Put the part into the container and fill it with fresh 99 % IPA, make sure that the part is fully submerged in IPA. Follow this procedure:
- Let the part rest in IPA container for 10 minutes.
- Swirl the IPA container with the part in it actively for another 1 minute.
- Leave it still but fully submerged to rest for another 10 minutes after swirling.
- Finally, swirl the bath actively again for 1 minute.
5.4 Part drying
Dry the part with either compressed air or leave it to dry naturally in a well ventilated area for at least 30 minutes. Inspect dry parts very carefully for uncured resin or other particles. You can easily identify uncured resin on a surface of a dry part when it has “wet” stains. Pay special attention to negative features like holes or intricate spots, where resin could still be trapped.
If you find “wet” stains or other particles, you can repeat cleaning cycle again. If a secondary cleaning cycle is needed, we recommend changing IPA that you used to a clean one.
5.5 Post-curing
Post-cure part in UV chamber LEDs that have a light wavelength of no more than 410 nm. Post curing in higher wavelengths can cause unwanted change in visual appearance. Post-curing duration depends on the power of LEDs used. If the UV chamber does not provide uniform light to the entire surface, post-curing procedure must be repeated after changing the position of the part (i.e. turning it upside down).
Color can vary slightly depending on wavelength of 3D LCD/mSLA or DLP printer that was used to manufacture the dental model, post-curing station wavelength, light intensity and duration, and natural effects of time.
Verified color and mechanical properties were acquired using the following settings on Asiga Cure 1.5 and Formcure V2 UV ovens:
Asiga Cure 1.5: 10 minutes, Vacuum, no heating.
Formcure V2: 10 minutes, no heating.
It is highly recommended to perform internal tests to find optimal post-curing settings for your UV oven.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Prepared models must be used within one month of manufacturing to ensure safe workflow.
WARNING: Post-curing outside of the recommended settings can result in poor mechanical and biocompatibility properties, moreover, color features can deviate from a desired outcome. Please post-cure only in accordance with official recommendations from AmeraLabs for the best results.
5.6 Support removal
If you have not removed support right after 3D printing, please follow 5.2.2 Removing support after post-curing section for details on how to remove supports.
5.7 Sanding and polishing
After support removal left-over marks need to be sanded using typical methods such as high grit sandpaper so the maximum comfort to a patient can be ensured. In case of a need, part polishing can be done adapting usual dental polishing techniques.
WARNING: Material dust is dangerous. Make sure you use suitable respirators or a half facepiece reusable respirator with appropriate filters when sanding.
WARNING: Inspect part carefully when polishing. If any kind of cracks or damage is detected, discard the model.
6. USE
6.1 Disinfection
The appliances may be cleaned and disinfected according to internal facility protocols. Verified disinfection methods are:
- Soaking the finished device in fresh 70% IPA for 5 minutes.
- Soaking the finished device in 2% chlorhexidine solution for 2 minutes.
It is important not to leave the part in the disinfection solution for longer than 5 minutes due to possible negative effects. After disinfection, examine the part for damage or cracks to ensure that produced part meets performance requirements.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Do not leave try-in models in alcohol solution for an extended period of time as it may lead to degradation of properties.
WARNING: After disinfection, inspect the printed part for cracks and damage to ensure the integrity of the printed part. If any kind of cracks or damage is detected, discard the model.
7. BIOCOMPATIBILITY
Products printed with TRY-23 resin are non-cytotoxic, non-sensitizing, non-irritating and complies with EN ISO 10993-1.
8. ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS
Additional documents are available upon request and on our website at https://ameralabs.com/shop/try-23/
- EC Declaration of Conformity
- Information For Use
- Technical Data Sheet
- Material Safety Datasheet
9. CONTACT INFORMATION
Manufacturer: MB Labsamera
Draugystės st. 14, LT-51259 Kaunas, Lithuania
support@ameralabs.com