European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

ISSN 2515-8260 Volume 10, Issue 1, Winter 2023

Comparative Evaluation Of The Flexural Strength Of Heat Cure

Denture Base Resin Reinforced With Three Different Fibers: An In
Vitro Study
Samsuddeen Shah1, Tulika Singh2, Naveen Kumar3, Vinod Viswanathan4, Prince Kumar5

1
Post Graduate Student, Department of Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge, Rama Dental
College Hospital & Research Centre, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
2
Post Graduate Student, Department of Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge, Rama Dental
College Hospital & Research Centre, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
3
Post Graduate Student, Department of Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge, Rama Dental
College Hospital & Research Centre, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
4
Professor, Department of Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge, Rama Dental College Hospital
& Research Centre, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
5
Professor, Department of Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge, Rama Dental College Hospital
& Research Centre, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India

Corresponding Author: Samsuddeen Shah, Post Graduate Student,

Department of Prosthodontics and Crown & Bridge, Rama Dental College Hospital & Research
Centre, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India,
Email: samsuddeenshah77@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Background: Today the acrylic resin, namely polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), occupies a
prominent place in the spectrum of denture base materials. PMMA as a denture base material is
not ideal in many aspects. The primary problem is its poor strength characteristics, including low
impact and flexural strength.
Aim and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the flexural strength of heat cure
denture base resin reinforced with 3 different fibers. Objectives were to evaluate the flexural
strength of heat cure denture base resin reinforced with glass fibers, to evaluate the flexural
strength of heat cure denture base resin reinforced with nylon fibers, to evaluate the flexural
strength of heat cure denture base resin reinforced with polypropylene fibers, to compare the
flexural strength of heat cure denture base resin reinforced in all three groups and to compare the
flexural strength of unreinforced group with other three groups.
Materials and Methods: A total of 80 specimens of similar dimensions were prepared for each
of the three experimental groups including control group (20 each). Group A was control group,
Group B was reinforced with glass fibers, Group C was reinforced with nylon fibers and Group
D was reinforced with polypropylene fibers. FS was evaluated with a three point bending test.
The results were analyzed with a one way analysis of variance.
Results: All reinforced specimens showed better FS than the conventional acrylic resin.
Specimens reinforced with glass fibers showed the highest FS, followed by nylon fibers.

4727
 European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

ISSN 2515-8260 Volume 10, Issue 1, Winter 2023

Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, the FS of heat polymerized PMMA denture
resin was improved after reinforcement with glass fibers and nylon fibers.

Keywords: Polyvinylsiloxane, Polypropylene Fibers, Nylon Fibers, Glass Fibers, Bronze

Introduction

Loss of tooth material is a common phenomenon which is most significant among geriatric
population. Owing to the advances with continuous improvements in medical domain, rapid
increase in specialization and treatment modalities are observed in practice. So, it is realized that
these improvements prolonged the life span of the human and drastically increased the life
expectancy of elderly people within past few decades.1,2,3,4 Denture base material plays an
important role in the construction of complete denture and removable partial denture prosthesis.
Although the metallic denture bases are successfully tried in the field of prosthodontics, the resin
denture bases still hold an appreciable place with favorable mechanical and physical properties
in the construction of removable prosthesis.5-8 Several materials have been tried as denture base
which includes wood, swaged metal, plastic, vulcanite, bakelite etc. Due to the combination of
qualities, rather than the mechanical properties, heat cure denture base material is still widely
used for dental applications. Earlier studies reported that the mechanical properties of the heat
cure denture base resin is poor compared to other dental materials.9-12 So, different ways were
used by researchers to investigate and improve the mechanical properties such as performing
some chemical modification to heat cure denture base resin, and making heat cure denture base
resin based composite with proper reinforcement process. The role of heat cure denture base
resin as a main component in making denture base was very wide in dentistry for long period of
times. So, these types of denture base materials and their fracture and crack behavior were
investigated by researchers for clinical use. Researcher used polyethylene, carbon- graphite and
glass for fiber reinforcement in order to obtain the mechanical properties which can be used in
dental, aeronautical, civil and automotive industry.13-15 Recently because of the ability to
aesthetically shape, and bond with dental polymers, glass fibers are widely used in dentistry.
Therefore, this study was conducted to comparatively evaluate the flexural strength of heat cure
denture base resin reinforced with three different fibers.

Materials and Methods

This study was conducted in Department of Prosthodontics at Rama Dental College, Hospital
and Research Centre and Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, UP. It aimed to compare and
evaluate the flexural strength of heat cure denture base resin reinforced with glass fibers, heat
cure denture base resin reinforced with nylon fibers, heat cure denture base resin reinforced with
polypropylene fibers, heat cure denture base resin reinforced in all three groups and unreinforced
group with other three groups. The study protocol was presented to institutional ethical
committee for approval. Following approval (No. 2020-21/046), the study was initiated to

4728
 European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

ISSN 2515-8260 Volume 10, Issue 1, Winter 2023

achieve the desired goals. Standard bronze metal die was machined as per standard dimension of
3.0mm X 10mm X 65mm (width X thickness X length). This die was used to make the test
samples to investigate the flexural strength of heat activated resins. The die was used to make
mold in polyvinylsiloxane putty in which the wax patterns were fabricated later. The die was
prepared with the dimensional recommendations..Polyvinylsiloxane was used to create a mold
space for wax pattern fabrication. The rectangular die made by the Bronze material was placed
onto this duplicating material to make the impression of die. The acrylic resin samples were
prepared with the recommended ratio through wax patterns. Group A) Heat cure denture base
resin (unreinforced) or control groups specimens 20, Group B) Heat cure denture base resin
reinforced with glass fibers specimens 20, Group C) Heat cure denture base resin reinforced
with nylon fibers specimens 20, Group D) Heat cure denture base resin reinforced with
polypropylene fibers specimens 20, No. of samples per group – 20, Total no. of samples – 80.
The control group test specimens were made with conventional heat-polymerized PMMA resin.
Group B: Glass fibers 2% by weight of the polymer: monomer ratio was soaked in monomer for
10 minutes in a petri dish for better bonding of these fibers with the heat cure denture base resin
matrix. The fibers were removed from the monomer and excess liquid was allowed to dry. Then,
the monomer treated fibers were mixed thoroughly to disperse the fibers. Group C: Nylon fibers
2% by weight of the polymer: monomer ratio was soaked in monomer for 10 minutes in a Petri
dish for better bonding of these fibers with the PMMA resin matrix. The fibers were removed
from the monomer, and excess liquid was allowed to dry. The polymer and monomer-treated
nylon fibers were mixed thoroughly to disperse the fibers. Group D: Polypropylene fibers 2% by
weight of the polymer: monomer ratio was soaked in monomer for 10 minutes in a Petri dish for
better bonding of these fibers with the PMMA resin matrix. The specimens were polymerized
and retrieved. Flexural strength test was carried out in the department of mechanical engineering
at Indian institute of Technology, Kanpur. The mechanical strength of each sample was tested on
universal testing machine under the three point bending test at a cross head speed of 5mm/min. A
transverse testing jig which consisted of two parallel bronze metal rods that supported the
specimen was used to applied load centrally. The span of this three point deflection test was 50
mm (Figure 1-5).

4729
 European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

ISSN 2515-8260 Volume 10, Issue 1, Winter 2023

Figure 1: Master Die

Figure 2: Wax Pattern Poured In The Mold

Figure 3: Wax Pattern Samples

4730
 European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

ISSN 2515-8260 Volume 10, Issue 1, Winter 2023

Figure 4: Polypropylene Fibre

Figure 5: Positioning Of Acrylic Sample Under Universal Testing Machine (Bending)

Statistical Analysis and Results

Mean Flexural strength of Group A samples which was found to be 81.08±2.45 MPa with the
minimum of 76.89 and maximum of 84.98 MPa. The measured standard error was found to be
0.54890. 95% Confidence Interval for mean demonstrated lower value as 79.9316 & upper value
82.2294. The measured standard deviation was noticed to be 2.45474. Mean Flexural strength of
Group B samples which was found to be 100.95±2.98 MPa with the minimum of 97.65 and
maximum of 106.87 MPa. The measured standard error was found to be 0.66759. 95%
Confidence Interval for mean demonstrated lower value as 99.5617 & upper value 102.3563. The
measured standard deviation was noticed to be 2.98557. Mean Flexural strength of Group C
samples which was found to be 98.55±2.74 MPa with the minimum of 94.13 and maximum of
102.98 MPa. The measured standard error was found to be .61411. 95% Confidence Interval for
mean demonstrated lower value as 97.2666 & upper value 99.8374. The measured standard
deviation was noticed to be 2.74639. Mean Flexural strength of Group D samples which was
found to be 94.83±3.14 MPa with the minimum of 90.87 and maximum of 99.98 MPa. The
measured standard error was found to be .70421. 95% Confidence Interval for mean
demonstrated lower value as 93.3119 & upper value 96.3119. The measured standard deviation
was noticed to be 3.14933 (table 1-5, graph 1).

4731
 European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

ISSN 2515-8260 Volume 10, Issue 1, Winter 2023

Table 1: Flexural strength of Group A samples

Basic Statistics Group A Statistic Std. Error

Mean 81.0805 0.54890
95% Confidence Interval for Lower Bound 79.9316 -
Mean Upper Bound 82.2294 -
Group A
Std. Deviation 2.45474 -
Minimum 76.8900 -
Maximum 84.9800 -
Table 2: Flexural strength of Group B samples
Basic Statistics Group B Statistic Std. Error

Mean 100.9590 0.66759

95% Confidence Interval for Lower Bound 99.56170 -

Mean Upper Bound 102.3563 -
Group B
Std. Deviation 2.985570 -
Minimum 97.65000 -
Maximum 106.8700 -

Table 3: Flexural strength of Group C samples

Basic Statistics Group C Statistic Std. Error
Mean 98.5520 0.61411

95% Confidence Interval for Lower Bound 97.2666 -

Mean Upper Bound 99.8374 -
Group C
Std. Deviation 2.74639 -
Minimum 94.1300 -
Maximum 102.980 -

Table 4: Flexural strength of Group D samples

Basic Statistics Group D Statistic Std. Error

4732
 European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

ISSN 2515-8260 Volume 10, Issue 1, Winter 2023

Mean 94.8380 0.70421

95% Confidence Interval for Lower Bound 93.3641 -
Mean Upper Bound 96.3119 -
Group D
Std. Deviation 3.14933 -
Minimum 90.8700 -
Maximum 99.9800 -

Table 5: Intergroup comparison of flexural strength

95% Confidence
Std.
Comparis Std. Interval for Mean Mini Maxim
N Mean Deviati
on Error Lower Upper mum um
on
Bound Bound
Group A 20 81.08 2.455 .549 79.93 82.23 77 85
Group B 20 100.96 2.986 .668 99.56 102.36 98 107
Group C 20 98.55 2.746 .614 97.27 99.84 94 103
Group D 20 94.84 3.149 .704 93.36 96.31 91 100
P value - - - - - - - <0.001

Graph 1: Intergroup comparison of flexural strength

4733
 European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

ISSN 2515-8260 Volume 10, Issue 1, Winter 2023

120
Mean Flexural strength 100,96 98,55 94,84
100
81,08
80

60

40

20

0
Group A Group B Group C Group D

Discussion

Whether the patient is young or old the ongoing advancement of technologies in the medical
sciences has a significant impact on specialty and cutting edge treatments that could improve
their lives.16,17,18 Dental professionals should manage tooth loss if it is to be successfully treated
and patients are to live healthy lives Dental implants and dentures are the artificial devices
commonly used to treat the tooth loss of the patients.19,20,21 These devices are used to restore the
physiological functions with good esthetic appearance. Therefore the physiological and esthetic
functions of the patients oral tissues are partially or completely restored by using suitable denture
or implants.22,23 Gopinath Anne24 and associates also conducted similar study to evaluate flexural
strength of conventional and various types of reinforced heat cure acrylic resins. They concluded
that the flexural strength of heat polymerized PMMA denture resin was improved after
reinforcement with glass fibers (120Mpa) and metal mesh. In our study the mean flexural
strength of glass fibers was found to be 100.95 Mpa with the minimum of 97.65 and maximum
of 106.87 Mpa. Sanjiv Rajender Dagar25 and associates also conducted similar study to compare
the resistance to fracture properties of a commercially available heat polymerizing PMMA
denture base resin with those of the same material reinforced by glass and nylon fibers. Keshav
Mundra26 and associates also conducted a similar study to evaluate and compare the effect of
polyethylene and polypropylene fiber reinforcement on the flexural strength of denture base
resin. The fibers were immersed in a beaker with monomer liquid for better adhesion with the
resin matrix. Mixing was done incrementally for thorough dispersion of fibers. Komal Lodha27
and associates conducted a study to assess the effect of novel pre impregnated glass fibre
reinforcement system and nylon fiber reinforcement on the flexural strength of conventional heat
polymerized PMMA denture resin. They concluded that glass fibers and stick net glass fibers are
suitable for reinforcement of complete and partial dentures as they increased the flexural strength
of acrylic resin. John J28 and associates also conducted a similar study to determine whether the
flexural strength of a commercially available, heat polymerized acrylic denture base material

4734
 European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

ISSN 2515-8260 Volume 10, Issue 1, Winter 2023

could be improved through reinforcement with three types of fibers. They concluded that the
flexural strength of heat polymerized PMMA denture resin was improved after reinforcement
with glass or aramid fibers. In our study the mean flexural strength of glass fibers was found to
be 100.95 Mpa with the minimum of 97.65 and maximum of 106.87 Mpa. Manju Chaudhary29
and associates also conducted a similar study to evaluate and compare the flexural strength of
heat PMMA denture base resin on reinforcement with nylon fibers, carbon fibers, polyaramid
fibers, glass fibers. They concluded that polyaramid fibers had a marked improvement in the
flexural strength of PMMA as compared to unreinforced PMMA. Their study results were highly
comparable with our results. Hence in this study, 2 % concentration of fiber reinforcement was
done, which is in accordance with the findings of Gutteridge30 who used 1%, 3% concentration
of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fibers, and reported that if fiber concentration was
greater than 4% by weight, manipulation becomes difficult. Ladizesky31 also found that more
than 4% concentration of fiber increased impact strength, but had no effect on transverse
strength.

Conclusion
Within the limitations of the study it was concluded that glass reinforced resin has highest
flexural strength compared to other tested reinforcement additives i.e.; nylon & polypropylene.
Among all three tested groups, polypropylene showed minimum flexural strength. Following
conclusions were also drawn; 1) Flexural strength of heat cure denture base resin reinforced with
glass fibers was found to be increased 2) Flexural strength of heat cure denture base resin
reinforced with nylon fibers was found to be increased 3) Flexural strength of heat cure denture
base resin reinforced with polypropylene fibers was found to be increased 4) Flexural strength of
heat cure denture base resin reinforced with all the tested reinforcement materials showed
increase in the flexural testing strength of acrylic resin. However their magnitude was not
similar. Nevertheless, other studies with larger samples & wider parameters are needed to be
performed to establish authentic guidelines.

References

1. Vuorinen AM, Dyer SR, Lassila LV, Vallittu PK. Effect of rigid rod polymer filler on
mechanical properties of polymethyl methacrylate denture base material. Dental Materials
2008; 24: 708-13.
2. Polyzois GL, Andreooulos AG, Langouvardos PE. Acrylic resin denture repair with adhesive
resin and metal wires: effects on strength parameters. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry 1996;
75: 381-7.
3. Kanie T, Fujii K, ArikawaH, Inoue K. Flexural properties and impact strength of denture
base polymer reinforced with woven glass fibers. Dental Materials 2000; 16: 150-8.
4. Smith DC. Recent developments and prospects in dental polymers. Journal of Prosthetic
Dentistry 1962; 12: 1066-78.

4735
 European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

ISSN 2515-8260 Volume 10, Issue 1, Winter 2023

5. Larson et al. The effect of carbon graphite fiber reinforcement on the strength of provisional
crown and fixed partial denture resins. The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry 1991; 72: 6-20.
6. Vallittu PK. Dimensional accuracy and stability of polymethylmethacrylate reinforced with
metal wire or with continuous glass fiber. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry 1996; 75: 617-21.
7. Stipho HD. Effect of glass fiber reinforcement on some mechanical properties of
autopolymerizing polymethyl methacrylate. J Prosthet Dent. 1988;79:580-584.
8. Kanie T, Fuji K, Arikawa H,Inoue k. Flexural properties and impact strength of denture base
polymer reinforced with woven glass fiber. Dental Materials 2000;16;150-158.
9. Katja K. Narva , Pekka K.Vallittu, Hans Helenius, Antti Yli-Urpo. Clinical survey of acrylic
resin removable denture repairs with glass fiber reinforcement. International Journal of
Prosthodontics 2001; 14: 219–224.
10. Saygili et al. Effect of placement of glass fibers and aramid fibers on the flexural strength of
provisional restorative materials. Operative Dentistry 2003; 80-5.
11. Tamer Hamza et al. The effect of fiber reinforcement on the fracture toughness and flexural
strength of provisional restorative resins. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry 2004;91:258-64
12. Hamza T et al. The fracture toughness of denture base material reinforced with different
concentrations of POSS. Journal of macromolecular science Part A—Pure and Applied
Chemistry 2004; A41(8): 897–906
13. Vojvodic Denis et al. Flexural strength of E- glass fiber reinforced dental polymer and
dental high impact strength resin. Strojarstvo 2008;50(4):221-230.
14. Vojvodic Denis et al. Influence of different glass fiber reinforcements on denture base
polymer strength. Medical Glass 2009; 6(2): 227-234.
15. Ishak M , NW Elshereksi, S. H. Mohamed1, A. Arifin, Z. A. Mohd Ishak. Effect of filler
incorporation on the fracture toughness properties of denture base poly (methylmethacrylate).
Journal of Physical Science. 2009;20(2): 1–12.
16. Al–Nema Luma N, Tarik Kassab Bashi. Evaluation of some mechanical properties of
reinforced acrylic resin denture base material - An In Vitro Study. Al–Rafidain Dental
Journal 2009; 9(1):57-65.
17. Gurbuz Ozlem ,Fatma Unalan, Idil Dikbas, Ozlem Gurbuz. Transverse strength of poly-
methymethacrylate reinforced with different forms and concentrations of E- glass fibers.
Journal of Oral Health and Dental Management 2010;9(3): 144-147.
18. Kamble V D, Rambhau D Parkhedkar. In vitro comparitive evaluation of the effect of two
fiber reinforcement on fracture toughness of provisional restorative resins. Journal of Dental
Research 2012;23(2):140-44.
19. Kamble V D, Rambhau D. Parkhedkar, Tushar Krishnarao Mowade. The effect of different
fiber reinforcements on flexural strength of provisional restorative resins: an in-vitro study.
Journal of advanced prosthodontics 2012;4:1-6.
20. Qasim S B et al. An investigation into the impact and flexural strength of light cure denture
resin reinforced with carbon nanotubes. World Applied Sciences Journal 2012;18 (6): 808-
812.

4736
 European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

ISSN 2515-8260 Volume 10, Issue 1, Winter 2023

21. Saritha M.K, Shivamurthy Shadakshar, Nandeeshwar D.B, Shivsagar Tewary. An in vitro
study to investigate the flexural strength of conventional heat polymerised denture base resin
with addition of different percentage of aluminium oxide powder. Asian J Med Cli Sci
2012;1(2):80-85. 69
22. Yaseen I F. Effect of different surface treatments on the tensile bond strength between acrylic
resin teeth and denture base material. Iraqi Dental Journal 2016; 38(3).
23. Fouda S M, Mohammed M Gad, Fahad A Al-Harbi, Ritva Näpänkangas, Aune Raustia
PMMA denture base material 71 enhancement: a review of fiber, filler, and nanofiller
addition International Journal of Nanomedicine 2017:12 3801–3812
24. Anne G, Mukarla NP, Manne P, Anne R, Murva SB, Krishna GP. Comparative evaluation of
flexural strength of conventional and reinforced heat cure acrylic resins.J Dent Res Rev
2017;4:9-12.
25. Dagar SR, Pakhan AJ, Thombare RU, Motwani BK. The evaluation of flexural strength and
impact strength of heat polymerized polymethylethacrylate denture base resin reinforced with
glass and nylon fibers.
26. Mundra K, Chouksey G. A comparative study to evaluate the effect of polyethelene and
polypropylene fibers reinforcement on the flexural strength of denture base resin. Global J
Res Analysis 2016;5:129-133.
27. Ladha K, Shah D. Evaluation of the flexural strength of heat polymerized
polymethylmethacrylate denture base resin reinforced with fibers. J Ind Prosthodont Soc
2011;4:215-220.
28. John J, Gangadhar SA, Shah I. Flexural strength of heat polymerized
polymethylmethacrylate denture resin reinforced with glass, aramid, or nylon fibers. J Ind
Prosthetic Dentistry 2001;86:424-427.
29. Chaudhary M, Rao Harikesh. Comparative evaluation of flexural strength of heat
polymerized denture base resin after reinforcement with glass fibers, nylon, carbon fibers and
polyaramid fibers. Int J Sci Res 2019;8:350-355.
30. Gutteridge DL. Reinforcement of poly (methylmethacrylate) with ultrahigh modulus
polyethylene fibers. J Dent 1992; 20(1): 50 -54.
31. Ladizesky NH, Pang MKM, Chow TW, Ward IM. Acrylic resin reinforced with woven
highly drawn linear polyethylene fibers. 3- mechanical properties and further aspect of
denture construction. Aust Dent J 1993; 38(1): 28-38.

4737