Influence of Coating Material Thickness on the Attraction Force of Dental Magnetic Attachment: An In Vitro Study

Abstract

Objectives. This study aimed to determine the influence of coating material thickness on the attraction force of dental magnetic attachment (DMA). Materials and Methods. An in vitro experimental design was implemented using DMA as samples coated with different material types including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and glass ionomer varnish. DMA consists of keeper and assembly. The coating material was applied to DMA in two ways, on the assembly only and both the keeper and assembly. The thickness of each coated DMA was measured with a digital micrometer, and analysis was subsequently conducted with a universal testing machine to evaluate potential alterations in magnetic attraction force. Comparison was made between the attraction force of both the coated and uncoated DMA serving as a control specimen. Result. The thickness of the coating material applied to both the keeper and assembly was 25 μm, while PTFE and varnish coating on the assembly alone was estimated as 12 and 10 μm, respectively. The magnetic attraction force of the uncoated DMA was 613.63 gf. Following coating, the magnetic attraction force decreased by 34.02–79.45 gf. The ANOVA test indicated that the decrease in magnetic attraction observed across both types of coating material and technique did not show significant differences. Conclusion. The thickness and type of coating material had no significant effect on magnetic attraction.