A biomechanical reinforcement of PMMA denture base material with sericin and fibroin: A preliminary screening study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Meenakshi, Srinivasa Iyer^{a; *} | Maheshkumar, Hima^{b; c} | Dureja, Shyla^a | Rao, Raghunath Nagasundara^d | Shivakumar, Ganiga Channaiah^e | Marrapodi, Maria Maddalena^{f; *} | Cervino, Gabriele^g | Minervini, Giuseppe^{h; i}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Prosthodontics, JSS Dental College and Hospital, Mysuru, India | [b] Dental Clinic, Mysore, India | [c] JSS Dental College and Hospital, Mysuru, India | [d] Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, JSS Dental College and Hospital, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, India | [e] Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, People’s College of Dental Sciences, People’s University, Bhopal, India | [f] Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialist Surgery, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy | [g] School of Dentistry, Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, Italy | [h] Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Saveetha University, Chennai, India | [i] Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Odontostomatological Specialties, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding authors: Srinivasa Iyer Meenakshi, Department of Prosthodontics, JSS Dental College and Hospital, Mysuru, India. E-mail: dr.meenakshis@jssuni.edu.in. Maria Maddalena Marrapodi, Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialist Surgery, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy. E-mail: mariamaddalena.marrapodi@studenti. unicampania.it.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is a commonly used denture base material, but susceptibility to fracture under functional loading remains a challenge. OBJECTIVE: This preliminary screening study aims to investigate the potential of sericin and fibroin as reinforcing agents in the PMMA denture base material. METHODS: The flexural and impact strengths of PMMA incorporated with 0.01% sericin, and 0.01% each of sericin and fibroin, were evaluated. The control group consisted of PMMA without any additives. The maximum load and energy required to break the samples were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA test and Scheffe Post Hoc tests to compare mean values between subgroups. RESULTS: The results indicated significant improvement in the flexural and impact strengths of PMMA with the addition of sericin and fibroin. The subgroups with 0.01% sericin, and 0.01% each of sericin and fibroin, demonstrated higher mean values in load and energy measurements compared to the control group. The statistical analysis confirmed the significance of these findings. CONCLUSION: The addition of 0.01% sericin and 0.01% each of sericin and fibroin to PMMA denture-based resin material significantly increases its flexural and impact strengths. These preliminary findings suggest the potential of sericin and fibroin as effective reinforcing agents in PMMA denture base materials, thereby enhancing their biomechanical properties.

Keywords: PMMA, denture base material, sericin, fibroin, flexural strength, impact strength, reinforcing agents

DOI: 10.3233/THC-231772

Journal: Technology and Health Care, vol. 32, no. 4, pp. 2643-2656, 2024