A Comparative Evaluation of Effect of Reinforced Autopolymerizing Resin on the Flexural Strength of Repaired Heat-polymerized Denture Base Resin before and after Thermocycling

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: Denture fractures are a common problem in clinical practice. Despite the use of different reinforcement materials (metal wires, metal plates, and various types of fibers) for denture repairs, recurrent fractures are still common. The purpose of this study was to compare the maximum flexural loads of the heat-polymerized denture base resin when repaired with autopolymerizing resin reinforced with relatively smaller diameter metal wires and glass fibers, before and after thermocycling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Heat polymerized rectangular specimens were fabricated and repaired with autopolymerized resin and different reinforcement materials. Stainless steel wires, coaxial wires, beta-titanium wires, and glass fibers were used as reinforcement materials. Metal wires were sandblasted before placing in the center of the specimen along with autopolymerizing resin. Control specimens were repaired without any reinforcements. Intact heat- and self-cure specimens were also prepared for comparison. Half of the specimens of each group were subjected to thermocycle stressing (5°C and 55°C, 30 s dwell time) for 2000 cycles. All the specimens, nonthermocycled as well as thermocycled, were then tested for flexural strength by using 3 point flexural test in Lloyd's Universal testing machine at 5 mm/min crosshead speed. The maximum flexural loads (N) for each specimen were recorded. The readings, thus obtained, were subjected to statistical analysis using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison test. RESULTS: The metal wire reinforcements increased the flexural strength of repaired specimens, whereas, glass fiber reinforcement produced slightly lower flexural strength when compared to those of control specimens, i.e., repair without any reinforcement. The highest flexural strength was demonstrated by specimens repaired with coaxial wire reinforcements (50.01 and 43.77 N before and after thermocycling, respectively). The increase in flexural strength with the use of stainless steel wire (45.12 and 41.56 N) and beta-titanium wire reinforcements (45.54 and 42.61N) was insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: Coaxial wire reinforcement produced significantly higher flexural loads than control. Increase in strength with stainless steel wire and beta-titanium wire was insignificant, whereas glass fiber reinforcement reduced the strength.