Aim
To evaluate and compare the flexural strength, surface roughness and porosity percentage of acrylic denture base material modified with two antimicrobial agents, Thymoquinone (TQ) and Silver nanoparticles (AgNP). Materials and
Conclusions
Heat cured acrylic denture base resins modified with 2.5% AgNPs,1% TQ exhibited clinically acceptable flexural strength and surface properties and could be incorporated into the denture base material as an antimicrobial agent.
Methods
A total of 90 specimens were fabricated and divided into groups A, B and C with 30 specimens each. Of the 30 specimens, 10 specimens measuring 65mmx 10mmx 2.5 mm were used to study the flexural strength, 10 specimens measuring 10 mm × 20 mm × 3 mm to study surface roughness and 10 specimens measuring 10 mm × 20 mm × 3 mm to study porosity percentage. Group A specimens were made of unmodified denture base resin, group B and C were modified with 2.5% AgNP and 1% TQ respectively. The specimens were processed in the conventional manner. A universal testing machine was used to measure flexural strength and a profilometer was used to measure surface roughness. Porosity percentage was evaluated with help of a desiccator. The data obtained was subjected to statistical analyses using One-way ANOVA and the Tukey-post hoc test, with statistical significance at p ≤ 0.05.
Results
Addition of 2.5% AgNP and 1% TQ to acrylic denture base resin significantly reduced flexural strength and increased the porosity percentage (p < 0.01) but within clinically acceptable limits. No significant difference was found in the surface roughness between the various groups tested. Conclusions: Heat cured acrylic denture base resins modified with 2.5% AgNPs,1% TQ exhibited clinically acceptable flexural strength and surface properties and could be incorporated into the denture base material as an antimicrobial agent.