Influence of various metal oxides on mechanical and physical properties of heat-cured polymethyl methacrylate denture base resins

PURPOSE. To evaluate the effect of various metal oxides on impact strength (IS), fracture toughness (FT), water sorption (WSP) and solubility (WSL) of heat-cured acrylic resin. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Fifty acrylic resin specimens were fabricated for each test and divided into five groups. Group 1 was the control group and Group 2, 3, 4 and 5 (test groups) included a mixture of 1% $TiO_2$ and 1% $ZrO_2$, 2% $Al_2O_3$, 2% $TiO_2$, and 2% $ZrO_2$ by volume, respectively. Rectangular unnotched specimens ($50mm{\times}6.0mm{\times}4.0mm$) were fabricated and drop-tower impact testing machine was used to determine IS. For FT, compact test specimens were fabricated and tests were done with a universal testing machine with a cross-head speed of 5 mm/min. For WSP and WSL, disc-shaped specimens were fabricated and tests were performed in accordance to ISO 1567. ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS. IS and FT values were significantly higher and WSP and WSL values were significantly lower in test groups than in control group (P<.05). Group 5 had significantly higher IS and FT values and significantly lower WSP values than other groups (P<.05) and provided 40% and 30% increase in IS and FT, respectively, compared to control group. Significantly lower WSL values were detected for Group 2 and 5 (P<.05). CONCLUSION. Modification of heat-cured acrylic resin with metal oxides, especially with $ZrO_2$, may be useful in preventing denture fractures and undesirable physical changes resulting from oral fluids clinically.