An In Vitro Study Comparing the Impact and Flexural Strength of Leucitone 199 Denture Base Resin and Conventional...

Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare and evaluate the impact and flexural strength of conventional denture base resin reinforced with glass fiber mesh and polyethylene fiber mesh with Leucitone 199 denture base resin (Dentsply Sirona, Charlotte, USA). Leucitone is an expensive denture base material. To come up with a cheaper solution for reinforced denture base resin with superior impact and flexural strength was the goal of this study Material and methods The specimens (maxillary denture bases) were fabricated using a standard polyvinylsiloxane mold with conventional heat-cured polymethyl methacrylate resin (ISO 1567:1999). The specimens were divided into three groups (n = 10). Group I specimens, or the control group, were pre-reinforced Leucitone 199. Group II and Group III specimens were reinforced with 3% by weight of glass fibers and polyethylene fibers in weave form, respectively. All the specimens were immersed in water for 1 week before testing. The impact strength was measured with a falling weight impact testing machine. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test were used for statistical analysis. The flexural strength was measured with the three-point bending test in a universal testing machine. Results The highest impact strength values were exhibited by the Leucitone 199 group, followed by the polyethylene fiber mesh group, followed by the glass fibers mesh group. The highest flexural strength was seen in the Leucitone 199 group, followed by the glass fiber mesh group. The least flexural strength was seen in the polyethylene fiber mesh-reinforced group.  Conclusion Reinforcement of maxillary complete dentures showed a significant increase in impact strength and flexural strength, but not in comparison to pre-reinforced Leucitone 199 dentures. By using pre-impregnated glass and polyethylene fibers in woven form (prepregs), the impact strength of the denture bases can be increased effectively.