Impact of Fabrication Techniques and Polishing Procedures on Surface Roughness of Denture Base Resins

Summary

This article presents a protocol to evaluate the effects of different manufacturing methods (heat-polymerized PMMA, CAD-CAM milled PMMA, and 3D-printed resin) and polishing techniques (600, 800, and 1000 grit silicon carbide abrasive papers) on the surface roughness (Ra) of resin base materials used for complete dentures.

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the impact of various fabrication techniques and polishing procedures on the surface roughness (Ra) of resin-based materials used in the fabrication of complete dentures. A total of 90 specimens were produced from three different resin materials: heat-polymerized polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin, CAD-CAM milled PMMA resin, and 3D-printed resin (n = 30). Each specimen measured 10 mm in diameter and 2 mm in height. The surface roughness (Ra) values of the specimens were initially determined using a contact profilometer following fabrication. Subsequently, each group of specimens was polished with 600-, 800-, and 1000-grit silicon carbide abrasive papers under running water. A second measurement of the surface roughness (Ra) values was then performed. The data were analyzed statistically using the Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and paired samples t-test (p = 0.05). A statistically significant difference was identified between the groups in terms of surface roughness (Ra) prior to the polishing process (p < 0.001). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the milled and heat-polymerized PMMA base materials following the polishing process. The 3D-printed specimens showed the most notable improvement in surface roughness due to the polishing process. Nevertheless, their surface roughness remained statistically significantly higher compared to the other samples, both before and after polishing (p < 0.001). The fabrication method of complete denture base materials was observed to influence surface roughness. The surface roughness values of the base materials fabricated using the 3D printing method were higher compared to those fabricated with milled and heat-polymerized PMMA resin, both before and after polishing.

Introduction

The restoration of edentulous areas is most commonly achieved through the use of partial or complete removable dentures, which serve as an important alternative in cases where implant-supported fixed prostheses are not feasible due to anatomical factors or patient-related conditions such as economic constraints or systemic illnesses¹. The base materials employed in these prostheses are typically resins containing polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). PMMA is a cost-effective material valued for its ease of processing, repairability, and polishability². It also demonstrates favorable physicochemical properties and satisfactory ....

Protocol

The details of the reagents, equipment, and software used are listed in the Table of Materials.

1. Sample preparation

1. Production of heat-polymerized PMMA discs
   1. Create a wax model with dimensions of 2 mm height and 10 mm width. Pour molten wax into a 2 mm high and 10 mm wide metal ring and allow it to cool. Once solidified, remove it from the ring to obtain a 2 mm x 10 mm wax model.
   2. Pour plaster into the lower part of a two-pa.......

Discussion

In this study, the impact of different fabrication techniques and polishing procedures on the surface roughness (Ra) of resin-based materials used in the fabrication of complete dentures was thoroughly assessed. The statistical analysis revealed significant differences in surface roughness values across all groups, with the samples produced via 3D printing exhibiting the highest roughness values, both before and after polishing. Mechanical polishing resulted in an effective reduction in surface roughness values........

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
3-dimensionally printed resin	Dentabase, Asiga, Australia	https://www.asiga.com/materials-dental/	complete denture material
Asiga Composer Software	Asiga, Australia	https://www.asiga.com/software-composer/	3D Printer software
CAD-CAM milled polymethyl methacrylate resin	M-PM Disc, Merz Dental, Germany	A2: SKU 1019085	complete denture material
Curing unit	Lilivis, Huvitz, South Korea	https://www.medicalexpo.com/prod/huvitz/product-80194-1066733.html	3D light curing
Exocad software	Align Technology, Germany	https://exocad.com/company/about-us/	desing software
Grinder/Polisher machine	Buehler Inc, Phoenix Beta, Germany		polishing
Milled Unit	Dentifa PRO2,IFA Machinery Design Engineering Services Industry and Trade Ltd. Co., Turkey	http://www.dentifa.com/	Milling of the CAD-CAM milled polymethyl methacrylate resin discs
Polimerized polymethyl methacrylate resin	Probase, Ivoclar, Liechtenstein	https://www.ivoclar.com/en_us/products/removable-prosthetics/probase-hot-cold	complete denture material
Profilometer	Surftest SJ-210, Mitutoyo, Japan	178-561-12A	surface roughness measurement
Separating agent	Ivoclar Vivadent Separating Fluid	https://www.ivoclar.com/en_li/products/removable-prosthetics/probase-hot-cold	separating agent
SPSS28 software	IBM Corp., Armork, NY,USA	https://www.ibm.com/spss	statistical analyses