Background
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is widely used for the fabrication of removable prostheses. Recently, zirconium oxide nanoparticles (nano-ZrO
2
) have been added to improve some properties of PMMA, but their effect on the optical properties and tensile strength are neglected.
Objective
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nano-ZrO
2
addition on the translucency and tensile strength of the PMMA denture base material.
Materials and methods
Eighty specimens (40 dumbbell-shaped and 40 discs) were prepared out of heat-polymerized acrylic resin and divided into four groups per test (n=10). The control group for each test included unreinforced acrylic, while the test groups were reinforced with 2.5, 5, and 7.5 wt% nano-ZrO
2
. Acrylic resin was mixed according to manufacturer’s instructions, packed, and processed by conventional method. After polymerization, all specimens were finished, polished, and stored in distilled water at 37°C for 48±2 hours. Tensile strength (MPa) was evaluated using the universal testing machine while the specimens’ translucency was examined using a spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis was carried out by SPSS using the paired sample
t
-test (
p
≤0.05). A scanning electron microscope was used to analyze the morphological changes and topography of the fractured surfaces.
Results
This study showed that the mean tensile strength of the PMMA in the test groups of 2.5%NZ, 5%NZ, and 7.5%NZ was significantly higher than the control group. The tensile strength increased significantly after nano-ZrO
2
addition, and the maximum increase seen was in the 7.5%NZ group. The translucency values of the experimental groups were significantly lower than those of the control group. Within the reinforced groups, the 2.5%NZ group had significantly higher translucency values when compared to the 5%NZ and 7.5%NZ groups.
Conclusion
The addition of nano-ZrO
2
increased the tensile strength of the denture base acrylic. The increase was directly proportional to the nano-ZrO
2
concentration. The translucency of the PMMA was reduced as the nano-ZrO
2
increased.
Clinical significance
Based on the results of the current study, the tensile strength was improved with different percentages of nano-ZrO
2
additions. However, translucency was adversely affected. Therefore, it is important to determine the appropriate amount of reinforcing nano-ZrO
2
that will create a balance between achieved properties – mechanical and optical.