Numerical Analysis of the Bond Strength between Two Methacrylic Polymers by Surface Modification

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials science
• Mechanical engineering
• Dental materials

Background:

• Acrylic denture fabrication requires effective bonding between artificial teeth and denture bases.
• Surface preparation techniques, including chemical treatment and mechanical modifications like grooving, are crucial for enhancing bond strength and denture longevity.
• Understanding the mechanical behavior of different groove configurations is essential for improving denture durability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To numerically analyze various grooving configurations on artificial teeth to determine optimal shapes and dimensions for improved bond strength.
• To investigate the influence of groove geometry (depth, width, spacing) and angular orientation on stress and strain distribution under shear load.
• To experimentally validate the findings from numerical simulations for the most promising groove designs.

Main Methods:

• Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis was employed on 3D models of polymer bodies simulating artificial teeth and denture plates.
• Twenty-four different grooving configurations were analyzed, varying groove width, depth, and distance between grooves.
• Experimental shear tests were conducted on selected parallel and cross groove configurations to compare their performance.

Main Results:

• The optimal configuration identified through FEM analysis featured parallel grooves with a width of 0.20 mm, a thickness of 0.10 mm, and a spacing of 5.00 mm, oriented at 90° to the loading force, exhibiting minimal stress and strain.
• Experimental shear tests confirmed the superior performance of the optimized parallel groove design (grooving III), with specimens showing no damage.
• The study demonstrated that groove shape significantly impacts stress and strain distribution, thereby affecting bond quality.

Conclusions:

• The shape and dimensions of grooves play a critical role in the bond strength between acrylic denture teeth and denture plates.
• Optimized grooving, particularly parallel grooves with specific dimensions and orientation, can significantly enhance the mechanical integrity of dentures.
• Combining optimized grooving techniques with appropriate chemical reagents offers a promising strategy for substantially increasing denture connection strength and lifespan.