Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resins have commonly been used as a denture base
material. However, denture bases may act as a reservoir for microorganisms and
contribute to oral diseases in denture wearers. It is hypothesized that the
2-tertbutylaminoethyl methacrylate (TBAEMA) incorporated to acrylic resins should
have antimicrobial activity related to the presence of amino groups on acrylic resin
surface.ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to evaluate the presence of amino groups on
acrylic resin surface and the influence on flexural strength after incorporation
of TBAEMA.Material and MethodsSix groups were divided according to the concentration of TBAEMA incorporated to
acrylic resin (Lucitone 550): 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 1.75 and 2%. Specimens surface
were evaluated by electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA) to detect the
presence of amino groups, represented by nitrogen ratios. Flexural strength of the
specimens was tested and results were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test
(α=0.05).ResultsDifferent nitrogen ratios were observed on specimen surfaces: 0, 0.13, 0.74, 0.66,
0.92 and 0.33% for groups 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 1.75, and 2%, respectively.
Significant differences were found for flexural strength (p<0.001). The mean
flexural strength values were 98.3±3.9, 93.3±3.2, 83.9±2.1, 82.8±5.2, 71.2±5.1 and
17.3±3.2 MPa for groups 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 1.75, and 2%, respectively.ConclusionWithin the limitations of this study, the incorporation of TBAEMA results in the
presence of the potentially antimicrobial amino groups on specimen surfaces, but
affect the flexural strength, depending on the concentration of TBAEMA.