Shock absorbability and hardness of commercially available denture teeth

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Prosthodontics

Background:

• Composite resin teeth are favored for removable dentures due to superior fracture toughness and abrasion resistance.
• Understanding shock absorbability is key to denture longevity and patient comfort.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the shock absorbability of artificial posterior teeth using a free drop-ball test.
• To assess the Vickers hardness of various commercially available artificial teeth.
• To compare the properties of composite resin, acrylic resin, and porcelain teeth.

Main Methods:

• Seven composite resin, one acrylic resin, and one porcelain tooth were tested after 50 hours of immersion in distilled water at 37°C.
• Shock absorbability was measured via impact value using an accelerometer.
• Vickers hardness was determined at the tooth surface.

Main Results:

• Porcelain teeth exhibited the highest impact value, while composite resin teeth showed intermediate values.
• A significant difference in impact value was noted between porcelain and both composite resin and acrylic resin teeth.
• No significant differences in impact value were found among the tested composite resin teeth.
• A significant correlation was observed between impact values and Vickers hardness.

Conclusions:

• Composite resin and acrylic resin teeth demonstrate higher shock absorbability than porcelain teeth.
• These findings have implications for material selection in removable denture fabrication.
• The study highlights the trade-offs between hardness and shock absorbability in artificial teeth.