Synthesis and Characterization of Reinforced PMMA by Sol-gel Derived Functionalized Nano-porous Silica via In-situ Heat Polymerization Method for Denture Applications

Abstract

Purpose: Polymethyl methacrylate resins are a class of materials used widely in dental practices. However, reinforcement of PMMA resins is the most important issue for the fabrication of overdentures/dentures with long-term durability. In the current study, the mechanical properties (in terms of tensile, bending, and impact properties) and applicability of the heat-polymerized Polymethyl methacrylate denture base materials were investigated by incorporating the synthesized sol-gel derived nano-porous silica aerogel.

Materials and Methods: Polymethyl methacrylate overdenture base materials were prepared by direct mixing of liquid MMA component with the desired weight contents of the synthesized sol-gel derived silica aerogel (i.e., 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 wt%) followed by thermal polymerization. The mechanical properties of the prepared nano-composites were investigated in terms of tensile, impact, and bending strength, and the experimental results were also compared with those commercial Triplex Hot acrylic base overdenture resin.

Results: The experimental results revealed that there is a meaningful correlation (P<0.05) between silica aerogel weight content and mechanical properties of the as-prepared silica aerogel- Poly-methyl methacrylate composites. Compared with commercial Triplex Hot base composite, fabricated Poly-methyl methacrylate base denture composites containing only 7.5 wt% of silica aerogel show higher mechanical properties. At optimum concentration, the bending, impact, and flexural properties of the composites reached 16.3 MPa, 22.9 MPa, and 38.1 Kj. m^-2, respectively.

Conclusion: The experimental results revealed that nano-porous silica aerogel is a promising alternative candidate to be used as an efficient filler in the fabrication of overdentures. Fabricated nano-composites using silica aerogel show higher mechanical properties, compared to fabricated commercial base composites. Furthermore, denture/overdentures had better fracture toughness by using nano-porous silica aerogel, and no more space is needed.