Comparing the Flexural Strength of PMMA Enhanced with Glass Fibers and Aluminum Oxide: An In Vitro Study.

Aim: To evaluate the flexural strength of Heat Cure Denture Base Resin reinforced with glass fiber and aluminum Oxide.

Objectives: To evaluate and compare the flexural strength (FS) of conventional heat cure acrylic resin denture base (PMMA) and reinforced resins by the addition of 5% by weight of aluminum oxide and glass fibers.

Materials and methods: A total 60 samples consisting of conventional heat cured acrylic denture base resin (DPI) with incorporation of 5% each of aluminum oxide and glass fiber nanoparticles were studied in three groups of 20 samples each. A rectangular stainless-steel die measuring 10 mm × 65 mm × 3 mm was fabricated and flaked to obtain mold space for acrylic samples preparation. The uniform reinforcement of nanoparticles to PMMA was performed using Vortex mixer. The flexural strength was measured using three point bending test (Instron universal testing machine).

Results: The flexural strength of Group B (PMMA reinforced with 5 wt.% of aluminum oxide showed to be highest among all study groups when compared to control group (Group A - Conventional heat cured acrylic DPI. Amongst the experimental groups, the flexural strength of conventional heat cure acrylic resin was found to be lowest. The results obtained were statistically analyzed by one way ANOVAs test and Post hoc test.

Conclusion: The addition of 5% aluminum oxide increases the flexural strength of heat cure acrylic denture base resin reinforcement of 5% glass fibers & 5% aluminum oxide significantly improves the flexural strength compared to conventional PMMA resin.