Reinforcing Heat-cured Poly-methyl-methacrylate Resins using Fibers of Glass, Polyaramid, and Nylon: An in vitro Study.

INTRODUCTION As civilization has progressed, there has been continued refinement of materials available for dental practice. The applications of resins have been extended to increased practical uses in numerous areas of prosthetic and restorative dentistry. Certain significant alterations in the technique of manipulation and nature of the dental product have influenced the range of application in dentistry. The present study was done to measure and compare the fracture strength of heat polymerized poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) resin reinforced with fibers of glass, polyaramid, and nylon. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present study was conducted in vitro on 40 PMMA denture base resin specimens. Specimens were divided into four subgroups with ten specimens each and tested for transverse strength using universal testing machine. RESULTS In group I, the transverse strength mean value was 67.82 MPa. In group II, the transverse strength mean value was 59.47 MPa. In group III, the transverse strength mean value was 66.87 MPa, while in group IV, the transverse strength mean value was 66.47 MPa. CONCLUSION Incorporation of 4% weight glass fibers in loose form significantly increased the transverse strength of denture base PMMA, while 4% of polyaramid fiber in random distribution significantly increased the transverse strength of denture base PMMA.