A Comparative Study to Evaluate the Mechanical Properties of Zirconium Oxide Added Polymethyl Methacrylate by Two Different Methods at Two different Concentrations – In Vitro Study.

ABSTRACT

Background: Poly methylmethacrylate (PMMA) is one of the most commonly used denture base material. Various attempts have been used to strengthen acrylic resin by incorporating filler particles. Method: In the present study zirconium oxide is used as a filler material and a silane coupling agent is added for bonding with PMMA by two different methods that is sol gel method and functionalizing zirconium oxide with silane coupling agent. Result: The present study demonstrated a significant increase in impact strength, surface hardness as the percentage of ZrO2 fillers increased. Conclusion: From the study it was concluded that incorporation of Zirconium oxide to PMMA will increase in flexural strength, impact strength and hardness of PMMA and the mechanical property obtained by functionalizing nanoparticles method is better than sol-gel method.