A review on enhancements of PMMA Denture Base Material with Different Nano-Fillers

Abstract

Poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) is the dominant acrylic that is widely used to produce partial and complete dentures. Denture fractures are caused by fatigue owing to repetitive masticatory, flexural and impact loads produced by dropping. The mechanical properties of dentures have been developed by reinforcing with various agents like rubbers, fillers and fibers. Progressively, novel dental materials reinforcement tactics have been developed following the advancement in Nano dentistry. Nonetheless, the issue pertaining to the superior mechanical properties of the PMMA still exists albeit it’s biocompatible and aesthetic properties. In recent years, the nanostructure materials have received much attention due to their high surface area to volume ratio that boosts interaction and delivers new biological, physical, and chemical characteristics. Many studies have evaluated the usage of nanotubes and nanofiber in dental composites, however, the data estimating the reinforcement issue of nanotubes and nanofibers in PMMA have been scarce. This article is aimed to review the progress related to the development of mechanical properties of denture base materials in addition to the latest advances and prospective developments for PMMA acrylic resins reinforcement. Poly methyl methacrylate PMMA composites, strengthening of dentures, Nano-fillers surface treatment, biomedical Nano additives for mechanical improvement, Nano-fillers of PMMA, biomedical ceramic Nano-fillers, biomedical metallic materials as Nano-fillers, hybrid reinforcement of PMMA, biocompatibility of polymeric PMMA composite, biomaterial for dental applications.

Keywords:

• PMMA poly (methyl methacrylate)
• aqueous oral environment
• denture reinforcement
• biomedical nanoparticles
• dental composites

Public Interest Statement

This paper is aimed to review the existing literature on PMMA acrylic resin. PMMA acrylic resin is a common material in producing removable dentures to improve its mechanical properties, biocompatibility, thermal conductivity and surface roughness with the use of different nano-filler materials. PMMA is known as a biocompatible material with insufficient strength. Thus, many studies have been conducted by using different additives and processing methods to find a novel composite with superior mechanical, aging properties in addition to other specifications preferred for the oral cavity applications.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the BOLD 2019 [10436494/B/2019045]; Universiti Tenaga Nasional [10436494/B/2019045].

Notes on contributors

Ban Ali Sabri

We are a team of four researchers, specialized in material science and Nano applications with experience in the different engineering fields. Our different pool of experience gained through working in nanomaterials field facilitated the efforts to conduct this work. This paper summarizes the implemented work of reinforcing the Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA) material through the addition of many different nanomaterials and processing aimed for the improvement of the PMMA mechanical and biomedical properties to be fit with the requirements of dental applications. The current review includes articles and research materials from multiple universities including Malaysia and Iraqi universities.