Reinforcement of Denture Base Resin

Abstract

The fracture resistance of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) the most popular denture base materials, is not satisfactory. The aim of this study is to improve the mechanical properties of PMMA by adding filler particles. Different inorganic filler particles including micronised glass flakes, acryl silane micronised, glass flakes 350nm, TiO2 and ZrO2 with different ratios by weight were incorporated into heat-cure plain PMMA and processed with optimal condition [2.5:1 Powder/ monomer ratio, conventional packing method and water bath curing for 2 hours at 95°C] to produce 12mm diameter and 2mm thick discs. Plain PMMA without additives was prepared as a test control. Three types of mechanical tests, biaxial flexure, microindentation fracture toughness and Vickers hardness were carried out on the samples. It was found that incorporating the particles did not improve the biaxial flexural strength of the resin. However, TiO2, ZrO2 and micronised glass flakes increased the fracture toughness of the resin. The hardness of PMMA was improved by the incorporation of all the particles.