Surface roughness and wear behavior of occlusal splint materials made of contemporary and high-performance polymers

Abstract

With the development of a digital technology of computer-assisted manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and new age materials, the use of new types of occlusal splint is to consider. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the surface roughness (Ra) and wear behavior of different CAD/CAM materials against enamel antagonist through a simulated chewing test. A total of 75 specimens made from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and polyethyleneterephthalate (PETG) as a control were polished to evaluate the Ra before loading by optical profilometry and further analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Specimens of each group were subjected to thermomechanical fatigue loading in a chewing simulator (60000 cycles at 49 N with 5-55 °C thermocycling). The wear volume loss and change in Ra of each specimen after the simulated chewing were analyzed. One-way ANOVA, paired samples t test, and Pearson correlation analysis were performed for statistical analyzes. The result showed that the volume loss and Ra varied among the materials tested. EVA exhibited the greatest amount of Ra and volume loss (p < 0.001), while PEEK had the lowest values for both (p < 0.001). In terms of volume loss, there was no significant difference between PC and PMMA (p > 0.05). SEM investigations revealed different wear behaviors, especially in EVA. As PEEK showed significantly more favorable results, PEEK splints should be considered as a new therapeutic option for occlusal splint.

The use of PEEK in digital prosthodontics: A narrative review

“…The use of PEEK was additionally recommended for CAD-CAM fabricated occlusal splints. An in vitro study of Benli et al found lower loss of volume and change in roughness for PEEK occlusal splints after chewing simulation compared to other CAD-CAM materials such as vinyl acetate (EVA), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), and polyethyleneterephthalate (PETG) [ 11 ]. It was also claimed that milled PEEK intra-radicular posts could be an alternative to glass-fiber and cast-metal posts.…”

“…Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a linear, aromatic, semi-crystalline thermoplastic, high performance polymer recently used in dentistry as a framework material for metal-free fixed dental prostheses [ 1 , 2 ], removable dental prostheses [ 3 ], implant-supported fixed prostheses [ 4 ], implant-retained overdentures [ 5 ], endocrowns [ 6 ] and resin bonded fixed dental prostheses [ 7 ]. It has been also used for the manufacturing of dental implants [ 8 ], implant abutments [ 9 ], healing abutments [ 10 ] and occlusal splints [ 11 ]. PEEK is a material with high biocompatibility, good mechanical properties, high temperature resistance, chemical stability, polishability, good wear resistance, low plaque affinity and high bond strength with veneering composites and luting cements.…”

The Effect of Salinized Nano ZrO2 Particles on the Microstructure, Hardness, and Wear Behavior of Acrylic Denture Tooth Nanocomposite

“…This result agrees with previous studies, in which concentrations of saline-treated alumina 0.1% [41] and silver nanoparticles 0.2-8% [43] considerably improved the resin wear resistance of PMMA. In terms of the effect of surface roughness on wear resistance, Benli et al [44] investigated the relationship between the wear rate and surface roughness of occlusal splint materials made of contemporary and high-performance polymers and found that it is directly proportional. Furthermore, Nayyer et al [45] reported that surface roughness is affected by clinical adjustments such as polishing, because polishing leads to smooth surfaces that undergo less wear and provides the advantage of extended longevity of the restoration [46,47].…”

Thermal, structural and morphological characterization of dental polymers for clinical applications

“…The surface roughness values of the study groups may also be explained by the effect of specimen preparation (milling) or polishing procedures. Additionally, clinical adjustments such as polishing affect the surface roughness of the material [42]. Therefore, polishing is recommended to obtain optimal clinical performance of dental polymers and to extend the longevity of the restoration.…”