Effect of Reinforcement Using Stainless Steel Mesh, Glass Fibers, and Polyethylene on the Impact Strength of Heat Cure Denture Base Resin - An In Vitro Study.

BACKGROUND: The impact strength of denture base resin is of great concern and many approaches have been made to strengthen acrylic resin dentures. The objective of this study was to compare the impact strength of the denture base resin with and without reinforcement and to evaluate the impact strength of denture base resin when reinforced with stainless steel mesh, glass fiber, and polyethylene fibers in the woven form. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The specimens (maxillary denture bases) were fabricated using a standard polyvinylsiloxane mold with conventional heat cured polymethyl methacrylate resin. The specimens were divided into four groups (n = 10). Group I specimens or control group were not reinforced. Group II specimens were reinforced with stainless steel mesh and Group III and Group IV specimens were reinforced with three percent by weight of glass fibers and polyethylene fibers in weave form respectively. All the specimens were immersed in water for 1-week before testing. The impact strength was measured with falling weight impact testing machine. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Highest impact strength values were exhibited by the specimens reinforced with polyethylene fibers followed by glass fibers, stainless steel mesh, and control group. CONCLUSIONS: Reinforcement of maxillary complete dentures showed a significant increase in impact strength when compared to unreinforced dentures. Polyethylene fibers exhibit better impact strength followed by glass fibers and stainless steel mesh. By using pre-impregnated glass and polyethylene fibers in woven form (prepregs) the impact strength of the denture bases can be increased effectively.

Retentiveness of various luting agents used with implant-supported prosthesis: an in vitro study.

Desired retrievability of cemented implant-supported fixed prosthesis makes the retentive strength of cementing agents an important consideration. The aim of the study was to evaluate the retentiveness of purposely designed implant cement and compare its retentiveness with dental cements that are commonly used with implant systems. Ten implant analogs were embedded in auto-polymerizing acrylic resin blocks and titanium abutments were attached to them. Fifty standardized copings were waxed directly on the abutment and casted. The cements used were: (1) resin-bonded zinc oxide eugenol cement, (2) purposely designed implant cement, (3) zinc phosphate cement, (4) zinc polycarboxylate cement, and (5) glass ionomer cement. After cementation, each sample was subjected to a pull-out test using universal testing machine and loads required to remove the crowns were recorded. The mean values and standard deviations of cement failure loads were analyzed using ANOVA and Bonferroni test. The mean values (± SD) of loads at failure (n = 10) for various cements were as follows (N): resin-bonded zinc oxide eugenol cement 394.62 (± 9.76), Premier implant cement 333.86 (± 18.91), zinc phosphate cement 629.30 (± 20.65), zinc polycarboxylate cement 810.08 (± 11.52), and glass ionomer cement 750.17 (± 13.78). The results do not suggest that one cement type is better than another, but they do provide a ranking order of the cements regarding their ability to retain the prosthesis and facilitate easy retrievability.

Reconstruction of Exenterated Orbit using Combined Surgical and Prosthetic Approach.

Reconstruction of an exenterated orbit remains a challenge. Orbital prostheses are nowadays are made of silicone elastomers. A major limitation with silicone orbital prostheses is their relatively short life span. This case report describes the treatment of a patient with an exenterated orbit using a combined surgical and prosthetic approach. The upper and lower eyelids were reconstructed surgically using a deltopectoral flap. A sectional eye prosthesis was made and placed in the modified bottle-neck shaped defect to restore the patient's appearance and confidence.

A Combined Surgical and Prosthetic Approach for the Successful Management of a Mutilated Eye Socket: A case report.

Facial disfigurement through the loss of an eye due to a road traffic accident can be devastating for the patient and may leave few options for an ophthalmologist, especially if the situation demands urgency. In the present case report, the patient had a major accident, which resulted in the severe disruption of the socket. The requirements of the prosthodontist regarding the morphology of the socket guided the ophthalmologist to undertake reconstructive surgery. The prosthesis was then fabricated such that both its longevity and the morphology of the socket were safe guarded.