Impact of light-polymerizing glaze on the surface, optical, mechanical, and biological properties of CAD-CAM denture base resins: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: A light-polymerizing glaze has been proposed to improve the esthetic performance of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacture (CAD-CAM) denture base resins; however, its effects on surface, optical, mechanical, and biological properties remain unclear. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of light-polymerizing glaze application on the surface, optical, mechanical, and biological properties of milled and 3-dimensionally (3D) printed CAD-CAM denture base resins. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines (Supplemental Material 1, available online) and was registered in the Open Science Framework (10.17605/OSF.IO/8T3WS). A search was conducted in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases, as well as in the nonpeer-reviewed literature databases ProQuest and OpenGrey, for studies published up to February 2026. In vitro studies evaluating the surface, optical, mechanical, and biological properties of CAD-CAM denture base resins finished with light-polymerizing glaze compared with mechanically polished heat-polymerized resins were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the MINORS instrument, and meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.4 software program. RESULTS: Seven studies were included in the systematic review and 3 in the meta-analysis. Light-polymerizing glaze reduced discoloration, increased brightness, and showed potential to reduce Candida albicans biofilm formation, whereas flexural strength varied according to resin type and finishing method. In the meta-analysis, conventional laboratory polishing was associated with lower surface roughness in 3D printed resins, including after thermocycling (P≤.04), whereas light-polymerizing glaze showed lower surface roughness in milled resins (P=.04). No significant differences in surface hardness were observed between finishing methods (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: Light-polymerizing glaze improved optical properties and may reduce Candida albicans biofilm formation, while mechanical properties were material-dependent.