A Comparative Evaluation of Measuring Impact Strength of Heat Cure Acrylic Denture Base Resin With and Without Addition of Zirconia Nano-Particles -An In Vitro Study

Abstract

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) acrylic resin, is a most popular denture base material, but has poor mechanical properties. Some researches proved that acrylic resin can be strengthened with a structural component (filler) added in the acrylic matrix, to form a composite structure.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the impact strength of zirconia (ZrO₂) reinforced high impact acrylic resin with that of high impact acrylic resin (acryl on H, ASIAN ACRYLATES, Mumbai, India).

Materials and methods: There were 40 specimens in the test. Each group has 20 specimens fabricated from high impact acrylic resin (control) [fig 1]; 20 specimens fabricated from 1% zirconia (ZrO₂) reinforced high impact acrylic resin [fig 2 ]. Specimens were subjected to the test of impact strength in the Izod pendulum impact testing machine [fig 4].

Results: Even with a mild percentage of nano particles that are 1%, there is a significant increase in the impact strength observed in the reinforced specimens when compared to the control group.