Effect of conventional water-bath and experimental microwave polymerization cycles on the flexural properties of denture base acrylic resins

Mechanical properties of conventional versus microwave-polymerized denture base acrylic resins

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

New denture base acrylic resins have been introduced that are specifically formulated for microwave polymerization. Microwave polymerization is a time-efficient procedure, but few studies have evaluated how these new acrylic resin formulations compare with conventionally processed acrylic resins.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the stiffness and strength of denture base acrylic resins formulated for microwave polymerization with conventionally processed acrylic resin.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Rectangular beams were fabricated from 2 microwave-polymerized denture base acrylic resins, microwave-specific resin (Nature-Cryl MC), resin with the option of microwave polymerization (Diamond D), and a conventionally processed resin as a control (Lucitone 199). Specimens (n=10) were stored in water for 1 week and subjected to a 3-point bend test to determine the flexural modulus (stiffness) and flexural strength before (initial properties) or after 120 000 load cycles. The load cycles, conducted between 5 and 25 N at 2 Hz, simulated 6 months of mastication. Data were analyzed by using 2-way ANOVA, followed by pairwise comparisons (α=.05).

RESULTS

The initial flexural modulus (mean ±standard deviation) was conventionally processed resin, 2.65 ±0.33 GPa; microwave-specific resin, 3.01 ±0.20 GPa; and microwave-option resin, 2.63 ±0.04 GPa. After load cycling, the mean flexural modulus was conventionally processed resin, 2.34 ±0.32 GPa; microwave-specific resin, 2.69 ±0.20 GPa; and microwave-option resin, 1.96 ±0.11 GPa. The initial flexural strength was conventionally processed resin, 77.6 ±11.0 MPa; microwave-specific resin, 83.6 ±3.5 MPa; and microwave-option resin, 78.9 ±2.6 MPa. After load cycling, the mean flexural strength was conventionally processed resin, 68.7 ±9.0 MPa; microwave-specific resin, 73.3 ±3.3 MPa; and microwave-option resin, 65.5 ±3.5 MPa. Resin and loading state significantly affected the stiffness and strength (P<.01); the interaction resin×state was not significant (P≥.558).

CONCLUSIONS

Microwave-polymerized denture base acrylic resins were comparable in stiffness and strength with conventionally processed acrylic resin. All acrylic resins decreased in stiffness and strength after load cycling. The microwave-specific resin was significantly stiffer and stronger than the other denture base acrylic resins, initially and after 120 000 load cycles.

Effect of cigarette smoke and denture cleansers on the surface properties and color stability of CAD-CAM and conventional denture base resins

This study aimed to evaluate the hardness, roughness, and color stability of heat- and microwave-polymerized polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyamide, and CAD-CAM PMMA resins when exposed to cigarette smoke (CS) and immersed in a denture cleanser (DC). Specimens of each resins were divided into four subgroups (n=10). The DC and CS+DC specimens were immersed in a DC; the CS and CS+DC specimens were exposed to CS; and the control (C) specimens were kept in distilled water. Hardness, roughness, and color measurements were performed. DC and CS significantly affected the roughness and color of all resins (p<0.05). However, these did not affect the hardness of the CAD-CAM PMMA resin (p>0.05). The CAD-CAM PMMA resin presented the lowest roughness, highest hardness, and lowest ΔE₀₀ values. While the roughness of all resins exposed to CS when immersed in DC decreased, the ΔE₀₀ values of the conventional PMMAs also decreased. Although this decreases were not significant, it may be advisable to use DC for smokers to decrease discoloration and roughness especially for conventional PMMAs resins.

Effect of microwave polymerization on the thermomechanical and surface properties of ocular prosthetic acrylic resins

BACKGROUND

Polymerization conditions affect the physical-mechanical properties of acrylic resins used for craniofacial prostheses.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of microwave polymerization on the thermomechanical properties and surface morphology of ocular prostheses fabricated with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).

METHODS

PMMA discs were polymerized with microwave energy and with conventional heat polymerization (CHP) method. Ocular prostheses were fabricated to determine whether there were changes according to the polymerization method. The surface morphology and roughness were observed under SEM and AFM. The Vickers Hardness number (VHN) and flexural strength were measured. Thermal properties were evaluated with TGA/DSC, and chemical composition with FTIR.

RESULTS

The PMMA acrylic resin polymerized with microwave energy showed a smooth surface with some relief areas. In the internal surface of the ocular prosthesis with microwave energy the PMMA is more compact. The mean roughness values were higher and statistically significant with CHP (P < 0.05), while the surface hardness and flexural strength were higher with microwave energy (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

There were no changes in the calorimetry with either method, TGA showed an exothermic peak around 120 °C with CHP method. PMMA polymerized with microwave energy improved the mechanical and surface properties of the ocular prostheses.

Mechanical Properties of the Modified Denture Base Materials and Polymerization Methods: A Systematic Review

Amidst growing technological advancements, newer denture base materials and polymerization methods have been introduced. During fabrication, certain mechanical properties are vital for the clinical longevity of the denture base. This systematic review aimed to explore the effect of newer denture base materials and/or polymerization methods on the mechanical properties of the denture base. An electronic database search of English peer-reviewed published papers was conducted using related keywords from 1 January 2011, up until 31 December 2021. This systematic review was based on guidelines proposed by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The search identified 579 papers. However, the inclusion criteria recognized 22 papers for eligibility. The risk of bias was moderate in all studies except in two where it was observed as low. Heat cure polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and compression moulding using a water bath is still a widely used base material and polymerization technique, respectively. However, chemically modified PMMA using monomers, oligomers, copolymers and cross-linking agents may have a promising result. Although chemically modified PMMA resin might enhance the mechanical properties of denture base material, no clear inferences can be drawn about the superiority of any polymerization method other than the conventional compression moulding technique.

Influence of polymerization method on the cytotoxicity of three different denture base acrylic resins polymerized in different methods

Statement of Problem

Acrylic plastics are used for over 80 years for the manufacture of prostheses. This kind of material has some limitations, one of them is a residual monomer, that remains after the polymerization has been terminated, which can influence the biological properties of the final medical device.

The purpose

The aim of this investigations was a comparison of the residual monomer concentration and cytotoxic effect of three various acrylic materials which differ in the polymerization method (hot-cured, polymerized under pressure and at lower temperatures).

Material and methods

The cytotoxicity of three different acrylic resins from the same producer were tested on the in vitro model (VERO CCL-81) by MTT assay. The residual monomer of acrylic materials was detected by gas chromatography.

Results

The Superacryl Plus material polymerized in hot water has a residual monomer concentration of 0.67 ± 0.05%, Superpont C + B hardened under pressure of 2.61 ± 0.208%, and Premacryl Plus after cold curing process has 3.53 ± 0.27% of uncured MMA. The results revealed that the least cytotoxic effect were observed in case of a thermally polymerized material.

Conclusion

Material polymerized in high temperatures has lower residual monomer concentration and not affect cell cultures. Self-curing materials polymerized in lower temperature have a higher concentration of residual monomer, which reduces the number of living cells by 20%, which can cause allergic reaction shortly after new denture was prepared.

Effect of heat polymerization conditions and microwave on the flexural strength of polymethyl methacrylate

Objective

The objective of this study is the effect of different heat polymerization conditions on the strength of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin base is unknown. Distinguishing one method that provides improved mechanical properties may be beneficial to the clinical success of complete and partial dentures and overdentures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different polymerization methods on the flexural strength of a dental PMMA resin.

Materials and Methods

Forty PMMA specimens (64 mm × 10 mm × 4 mm) were prepared with 4 different polymerization methods (n = 10); heat polymerization at 74°C for 9 h, at 100°C for 40 min, and with 620 kPa pressure at 100°C for 20 min. The remaining group of specimens was microwave polymerized at 180 W for 6 min. All specimens were thermocycled at 5°C and 55°C for 5000 times. Three-point flexure test was used to measure the flexural strength of specimens. One-way ANOVA and Tukey Honestly Significant Difference were applied to analyze the differences in flexural strengths (α = 0.05).

Results

The flexural strength of heat-polymerized groups was similar. The flexural strength of microwave polymerized group was significantly different and lower than the other groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Polymerizing conventional heat-polymerizing PMMA resin with microwave energy resulted in a significant decrease in flexural strength. The results of this study suggest that clinicians may benefit from using heat polymerization when processing PMMA denture bases instead of microvawe polymerization when tested brand is used.