Evaluation of physical properties of polycarbonate temporary restoration materials

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#The purpose is to test and evaluate the physical properties of commonly used temporary restoration materials and newly emerged materials. @*Materials and Methods@#Four groups of polymer materials were evaluated: Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) 2 groups, Polyetheretherketone (PEEK), Polycarbonate. Four physical properties were tested: surface hardness, bending strength, abrasion resistance during wear, wear behavior. The 3-axis bending strength and Vickers hardness test were measured using a universal testing machines respectively. The microstructure was observed with a scanning electron microscope and weight comparison was evaluated after 100,000 chewing tests using a chewing simulator. Kruskal wallis test was performed to evaluate statistical significance. @*Results@#The four groups showed the highest flexural strength and Vickers hardness of PEEK, followed by PC, PMMA-H, PMMA-T. Microstructure observation also showed the least surface roughness in the PEEK group, followed by PC, PMMA-H, PMMA-T. @*Conclusion@#PC is considered to have sufficient mechanical properties that can be applied to the manufacture of temporary teeth. However, further studies, such as biocompatibility, are considered to be necessary for practical clinical applications.