Effect of Gum Arabic powder on the mechanical properties of denture base acrylic

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to improve the mechanical properties of denture base material using various concentrations of natural biopolymer, i.e., Gum Arabic (GA). METHODS: This experimental study was conducted at the Dental Health Department of the College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from May 2022 to July 2022. After obtaining exemption from the institutional review board, the powdered GA was added in ratios of weight 5, 10, and 20% to PMMA heat-cured acrylic powder to produce bar-shaped samples (65 × 10 × 30 mm(3) in dimensions). While the control group was prepared as such. Micro hardness (n=10/group) and fracture toughness (n=10/group) were evaluated. One-way analysis of variance method was used to statistically analyze the results (p<0.05) using SPSS version 23. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed for micro hardness (p<0.001) and fracture toughness (p=0.007) between the means of the different study groups. The control group exhibited the highest micro hardness (22.5±0.6 VHN) and fracture toughness (1.25±0.11 MPa.m(1/2)) value among the study groups. While 20 wt. % GA and 10 wt. % GA groups showed the lowest micro hardness and fracture toughness values, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: GA powder might not be an appropriate reinforcing material for denture base or the higher filler loading of GA in denture base acrylic might be detrimental to the mechanical properties.