Effects of incorporation of 2.5 and 5 wt% TiO₂ nanotubes on fracture toughness, flexural strength, and microhardness of denture base poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA)

PURPOSE: The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate, for the first time, the effects of addition of titania nanotubes (n-TiO2) to poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) on mechanical properties of PMMA denture base. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TiO2 nanotubes were prepared using alkaline hydrothermal process. Obtained nanotubes were assessed using FESEM-EDX, XRD, and FT-IR. For 3 experiments of this study (fracture toughness, three-point bending flexural strength, and Vickers microhardness), 135 specimens were prepared according to ISO 20795-1:2013 (n of each experiment=45). For each experiment, PMMA was mixed with 0% (control), 2.5 wt%, and 5 wt% nanotubes. From each TiO2:PMMA ratio, 15 specimens were fabricated for each experiment. Effects of n-TiO2 addition on 3 mechanical properties were assessed using Pearson, ANOVA, and Tukey tests. RESULTS: SEM images of n-TiO2 exhibited the presence of elongated tubular structures. The XRD pattern of synthesized n-TiO2 represented the anatase crystal phase of TiO2. Moderate to very strong significant positive correlations were observed between the concentration of n-TiO2 and each of the 3 physicomechanical properties of PMMA (Pearson's P value ≤.001, correlation coefficient ranging between 0.5 and 0.9). Flexural strength and hardness values of specimens modified with both 2.5 and 5 wt% n-TiO2 were significantly higher than those of control (P≤.001). Fracture toughness of samples reinforced with 5 wt% n-TiO2 (but not those of 2.5% n-TiO2) was higher than control (P=.002). CONCLUSION: Titania nanotubes were successfully introduced for the first time as a means of enhancing the hardness, flexural strength, and fracture toughness of denture base PMMA.

The effect of thermocycling on the degree of conversion and mechanical properties of a microhybrid dental resin composite

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the degree of conversion (DC) and mechanical properties of a microhybrid Filtek Z250 (3M ESPE) resin composite after aging. METHOD: The specimens were fabricated using circular molds to investigate Vickers microhardness (Vickers hardness number [VHN]) and DC, and were prepared according to ISO 4049 for flexural strength testing. The initial DC (%) of discs was recorded using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transforming infrared spectroscopy. The initial VHN of the specimens was measured using a microhardness tester under a load of 300 g for 15 seconds and the flexural strength test was carried out with a universal testing machine (crosshead speed, 0.5 mm/min). The specimens were then subjected to thermocycling in 5°C and 55°C water baths. Properties were assessed after 1,000–10,000 cycles of thermocycling. The surfaces were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance followed by the Tukey honest significant difference post hoc test. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that DC tended to increase up to 4,000 cycles, with no significant changes. VHN and flexural strength values significantly decreased upon thermal cycling when compared to baseline (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between initial and post-thermocycling VHN results at 1,000 cycles. SEM images after aging showed deteriorative changes in the resin composite surfaces. CONCLUSIONS: The Z250 microhybrid resin composite showed reduced surface microhardness and flexural strength and increased DC after thermocycling.

[Degree of conversion of micro-hybrid, nano-hybrid and Ormocer composites using LED and QTH light-curing units]

The aim of this study was to measure the degree of conversion [DC] of three types of composite resins [micro-hybrid, nano-hybrid and Ormocer] with different light curing units [LED LCU and QTH LCU] in two depths. Three commercially available dental resin composites were used in this study: [Tetric Ceram, Ivoclar Vivadent, Liechtenstein-A2 shade], [Tetric Evoceram, Ivoclar Vivadent, Liechtenstein-A2 shade], [Ceram X, Dentsply, Germany-M[2] shade]. Specimens were divided into two groups, 5 specimens were photo-activated by QTH unit [Coltolux 75-Colten] and the other five specimens were cured by LED [Demi-Kerr]. Then each specimen was sectioned at the top surface and at 2-mm depth. The DC was measured by FT-IR [Bruker-tensor 27]. The data were analyzed by 3-way ANOVA test. There was significant difference between tested composite resins [P<0.001]. The results of top surfaces were significantly different from those observed at 2-mm depth [P<0.001]. The type of curing unit affected the polymerization of Ceram X resin composite. This study showed a significant difference in the degree of conversion in different thicknesses within three groups of resin composites