Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based hydrogels have attracted significant attention due to their excellent biocompatibility, tunable mechanical properties, and ability to form stable three-dimensional networks. This comprehensive review explores the recent advancements in PVA-based hydrogels, focusing on their unique properties, fabrication strategies, and multifunctional applications. Firstly, it discusses various facile synthesis techniques, including freeze/thaw cycles, chemical cross-linking, and enhancement strategies, which have led to enhanced mechanical strength, elasticity, and responsiveness to external stimuli. These improvements have expanded the applicability of PVA-based hydrogels in critical areas such as biomedical, environmental treatment, flexible electronics, civil engineering, as well as other emerging applications. Additionally, the integration of smart functionalities, such as self-healing capabilities and multi-responsiveness, is also examined. Despite progress, challenges remain, including optimizing mechanical stability under varying conditions and addressing potential toxicity of chemical cross-linkers. The review concludes by outlining future perspectives, emphasizing the potential of PVA-based hydrogels in emerging fields like regenerative medicine, environmental sustainability, and advanced manufacturing. It underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in realizing the full potential of these versatile materials to address pressing societal challenges.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing represents a pivotal technological advancement in dental prosthetics, fundamentally transforming the fabrication of provisional crowns and bridges through innovative vat photopolymerization methodologies, specifically stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP). This comprehensive scholarly review critically examines the technological landscape of 3D-printed resin-based dental provisional crowns and bridges, systematically analyzing their material performance, clinical applications, and prospective developmental trajectories. Empirical investigations demonstrate that these advanced restorations exhibit remarkable mechanical characteristics, including flexural strength ranging from 60 to 90 MPa and fracture resistance of 1000–1200 N, consistently matching or surpassing traditional manufacturing techniques. The digital workflow introduces substantial procedural innovations, dramatically reducing fabrication time while simultaneously achieving superior marginal adaptation and internal architectural precision. Despite these significant technological advancements, critical challenges persist, encompassing material durability limitations, interlayer bonding strength inconsistencies, and the current paucity of longitudinal clinical evidence. Contemporary research initiatives are strategically focused on optimizing resin formulations through strategic filler incorporation, enhancing post-processing protocols, and addressing fundamental limitations in color stability and water sorption characteristics. Ultimately, this scholarly review aims to provide comprehensive insights that will inform evidence-based clinical practices and delineate future research trajectories in the dynamically evolving domain of digital dentistry, with the paramount objective of advancing patient outcomes through technological innovation and precision-driven methodological approaches.

With the aim of reducing human exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) derivatives in dentistry, a fluorinated dimethacrylate monomer was synthesized to replace 2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloy-loxypropyl)-phenyl]propane (Bis-GMA) as the base monomer of dental resin. After mixing with reactive diluent triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), fluorinated dimethacrylate (FDMA)/TEGDMA was prepared and compared with Bis-GMA/TEGDMA in physicochemical properties, such as double bond conversion (DC), volumetric shrinkage (VS), water sorption (WS) and solubility (WSL), flexural strength (FS) and modulus (FM). The results showed that, when compared with Bis-GMA based resin, FDMA-based resin had several advantages, such as higher DC, lower VS, lower WS, and higher FS after water immersion. All of these revealed that FDMA had potential to be used as a substitute for Bis-GMA. Of course, many more studies, such as biocompatibility testing, should be undertaken to prove whether FDMA could be applied in clinic.

This study aimed to evaluate the flexural strength (FS), surface wear, and optical properties of 3D-printed dental resins subjected to different post-printing conditions. A total of 240 specimens (2 × 2 × 25 mm³) were 3D-printed using resin materials for permanent (VaresoSmile Crown Plus) VSC and temporary (VaresoSmile Temp) VST restorations. Specimens underwent five post-printing conditions: no post-printing cure; post-cured in a Form Cure curing unit; Visio Beta Vacuum; Ivoclar Targis; or heat-cured (150 °C) for 30 min. Each group of specimens (n = 24) was tested either directly after post-curing, after 24 h of dry storage, or following hydrothermal accelerated aging in boiling water for 16 h. The three-point bending test was used to evaluate the FS. The two-body wear test was performed on 50 disc-shaped specimens (n = 5/group). Surface gloss and translucency were measured for permanent VSC specimens (n = 5/group). SEM/EDS and statistical analyses were performed. The Form Cure device yielded the highest FS and lowest wear depth (p < 0.05). Hydrothermal aging significantly reduced FS. There were no statistical differences in FS and wear values between materials subjected to same post-printing conditions. VSC groups exhibited similar optical properties across different post-printing treatments. Post-printing treatment conditions had a significant impact on the FS and wear of the 3D-printed resin, while optical properties remained unaffected.