METHODS: Three hundred samples were prepared (6 × 2 mm disc shape) and divided into five groups of denture polymers (n = 60) and further subjected into five treatment groups (Polident®, Steradent, distilled water, eugenol 5-minutes, and eugenol 10-min). Three samples were extracted from each treatment group for baseline data (n = 12). Baseline data were used to calculate the initial number of C. albicans adherence. A 0.5 ml immersion solution from each specimen was cultured on YPD agar and incubated for 48 h at 37 °C. Visible colonies were counted using a colony counter machine (ROCKER Galaxy 230).
RESULTS: The result showed that the denture base polymer significantly affected the initial adherence (p = 0.007). The removal of C. albicans was also considerably affected by the denture base polymers and denture cleansers (p
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The flexural strength and flexural modulus of three OPEFB fiber-reinforced PMMA were compared with a conventional and a commercially available reinforced PMMA. The three test groups included OPEFB fibers of 0.5 mm thickness, 2.0 mm thickness, and OPEFB cellulose.
RESULTS: All test group specimens demonstrated improved flexural strength and flexural modulus over conventional PMMA. Reinforcement with OPEFB cellulose showed the highest mean flexural strength and flexural modulus, which were statistically significant when compared to the conventional and commercially reinforced PMMA used in this study. OPEFB fiber in the form of cellulose and 0.5 mm thickness fiber significantly improved flexural strength and flexural modulus of conventional PMMA resin. Further investigation on the properties of PMMA reinforced with OPEFB cellulose is warranted.
CONCLUSIONS: Natural OPEFB fibers, especially OPEFB in cellulose form, can be considered a viable alternative to existing commercially available synthetic fiber reinforced PMMA resin.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The flexural strength and flexural modulus, following thermal cycling (5000 cycles of 5-55°C) of 3 MCC-reinforced poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) specimens were compared with the conventional and commercially available high-impact PMMA. The 3 test groups were represented by addition of various weight combinations of MCC and acrylic powders.
RESULTS: All 3 test groups with the addition of MCC demonstrated improved flexural strength and flexural modulus compared to the conventional resin, without and after thermal cycling. The highest mean flexural strength corresponded to the specimens reinforced with 5% MCC followed by 2% MCC.
CONCLUSION: Addition of MCC derived from OPEFB to PMMA may be a viable alternative to the existing, commercially available synthetic reinforced PMMA resins. The potential application of natural fillers in the fabrication of a reinforced denture base resin needs further study.