Background and Aim: Several studies have investigated the effect of addition of fillers on mechanical strength of denture base materials. This study aimed to evaluate the mechanical properties of heat-cure denture base materials incorporated with different concentrations of zirconia nanotubes (ZNTs).
Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, 90 specimens were fabricated from each denture base resin material (Trevlon and DPI) and divided into three groups (n=30) based on the mechanical properties to be tested (flexural strength, impact strength, and surface hardness). Thirty specimens in each group were further subdivided into 5 subgroups (n=6) based on the weight percentage (wt%) of ZNTs (0.0wt%, 0.5wt%, 1.0wt%, 2.0wt%, and 5.0wt%). The specimens were subjected to flexural strength, impact strength, and surface hardness testing using a universal testing machine, IZOD impact testing machine, and Vickers hardness tester, respectively. One-way ANOVA and post-hoc tests were used for statistical analyses (alpha=0.05).
Results: The maximum flexural strength was observed following the inclusion of 2.0wt% and 1.0wt% ZNTs in Trevlon and DPI, respectively. The maximum impact strength was obtained with the addition of 1.0wt% ZNTs to both Trevlon and DPI. The surface hardness of Trevlon and DPI increased significantly with an increase in the concentration of ZNTs (P=0.005). Flexural strength (P=0.000) and surface hardness (P=0.005) were significantly different among various concentrations of Trevlon and DPI, but the impact strength (P=0.013) was significantly different only in DPI.
Conclusion: The optimal concentration of ZNTs to obtain enhanced mechanical properties of denture base resins was found to be 1.0wt%.