Effects of SiO2 Incorporation on the Flexural Properties of a Denture Base Resin: An In Vitro Study
Sara T. Alzayyat, Ghadah A. Almutiri, Jawhara K. Aljandan, Raneem M. Algarzai, Soban Q. Khan, Sultan Akhtar, Ijlal Shahrukh Ateeq, Mohammed M. Gad
Abstract
Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the addition of low-silicon dioxide nanoparticles (nano-SiO2) on the flexural strength and elastic modulus of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) denture base material. Materials and Methods A total of 50 rectangular acrylic specimens (65 × 10 × 2.5 mm3) were fabricated from heat-polymerized acrylic resin. In accordance with the amount of nano-SiO2, specimens were divided into the following five groups (n = 10 per group): a control group with no added SiO2, and four test groups modified with 0.05, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 wt% nano-SiO2 of acrylic powder. Flexural strength and elastic modulus were measured by using a 3-point bending test with a universal testing machine. A scanning electron microscope was used for fracture surface analyses. Data analyses were conducted through analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc test (α = 0.05). Results Compared with the control group, flexural strength and modulus of elasticity tended to significantly increase (p ˂ 0.001) with the incorporation of nano-SiO2. In between the reinforced groups, the flexural strength significantly decreased (p ˂ 0.001) as the concentrations increased from 0.25 to 1.0%, with the 1.0% group showing the lowest value. Furthermore, the elastic modulus significantly increased (p ˂ 0.001) at 0.05% followed by 1.0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, and least in control group. Conclusion A low nano-SiO2 addition increased the flexural strength and elastic modulus of a PMMA denture base resin.