EFFECT OF GLASS FIBER AND SILANE TREATED GLASS FIBER REINFORCEMENT ON IMPACT STRENGTH OF MAXILLARY COMPLETE DENTURE

Background and objectives: The fracture of acrylic maxillary complete dentures is a commonly seen clinical problem which usually occurs due to heavy occlusal forces or accidental damage.The objectives of the study were to measure the impact strength of maxillary complete dentures fabricated with high impact acrylic resin and to evaluate the effect of woven E-glass fiber and silane treated glass fiber reinforcement on the impact strength of the Maxillary complete dentures. Methods:One commercially available heat cured acrylic resin (Trevalon HI) was selected. Preimpregnated woven E-glass fibers (Stick Net) and Silane treated glass fibers were used to reinforce ten maxillary complete dentures each. Ten unreinforced complete dentures served as the control group. The impact strength in Joules of the dentures were measured with a falling-weight impact test. Results: The mean impact strength of the control dentures was 75.22+/- 10.392 J at crack initiation, and 84.62+/- 11.495 J at complete fracture. The mean impact strength of dentures reinforced with preimpregnated woven E-glass fibers was 165.91+/- 12.929 J at crack initiation, and 187.06+/- 17.972 J at complete fracture. The mean impact strength of dentures reinforced with silane treated glass fibers was 112.30+/- 8.709 J at crack initiation, and at complete fracture was 126.43 +/- 8.709 J. Interpretation and Conclusion:The impact strength of maxillary complete dentures fabricated with high impact acrylic resin increased significantly after reinforcement with preimpregnated woven E-glass fibers and silane treated glass fibers. The best improvement, however, was obtained by preimpregnated woven E