Could the Old Poly(methylmethacrylate) Face Arrising Challanges of New Advanced Technologies for Dental Prosthesis Manufacturing?

Abstract

The biocompatibility, relatively low cost and excellent aesthetic appearance of polymer Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) makes it the material of choice for fabricating partially and complete dentures. Nowadays the emerging 3D printing technique imposed itself as reliable solution for obtaining dental devices. However, extensive usage of such technique is still limited due to the materials available. Despite PMMA's drawbacks, mainly related to bacterial contamination, wear and mechanical failures, composite polymeric matrix has issued high interest lately. An important improvement in basic material properties have been achieved due to the inclusion of nanosystems, either nanoparticles or nanotubes. The newly shown versatility of reinforced PMMA sustains it as the best alternative for stereolithography (3D printing) technique. This paper highlights the improvements of PMMA by adding different type of nanofillers. Therefore, prospective randomized clinical in vivo studies with the use of biocompatible tested modified filled PMMA and modern technologies should be performed.

Evaluation of Electrical Characteristics for PMMA-TiO2 Nanocomposites Used in Dentistry

“…The Nyquist diagram offers the possibility to calculate the geometrical capacitance (C g in fig. 3) of an equivalent electrical circuit modelling the nanocomposites' film behavior [3]:…”

“…Recently, nanotechnologies based on novel systems associating metallic oxide particles with a polymer matrix have achieved unique physical, chemical, antibacterial and mechanical properties that were not possible with the addition of micron-sized particles [1][2][3].…”

Eighteen Months Follow-Up with Patient-Centered Outcomes Assessment of Complete Dentures Manufactured Using a Hybrid Nanocomposite and Additive CAD/CAM Protocol

“…Being the most common and accepted treatment for fully edentulous patients, removable complete dentures manufactured using conventional techniques usually lack fit and resistance due to the resin's characteristics of polymerization shrinkage, low mechanical resistance, and porosity, among others [1,2]. Several other drawbacks, mostly regarding the skills required from the dental specialist as well as from the dental technician, long chair time, and a great number of patient visits, have led to a new trend towards digital technologies for dentures fabrication [3].…”

“…Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the eighteen months follow-up patient-centered outcomes of a predictable and straightforward protocol for 3D-printed functional complete dentures manufactured using an improved poly(methyl methacrylate)-nanoTiO 2 . A detailed morphological and structural characterization of the poly(methyl methacrylate)-TiO 2 nanocomposite after 3D-printing procedure both before denture delivery and after eighteen months of continuous wear was also performed.…”

Flexible Acrylate Dentures versus Chromium Cobalt Removable Partial Dentures - a Viable Therapeutical Solution

“…This material is claimed to have greater resistance to wear, flexibility, fatigue strength, dimensional stability, wear characteristics and solvent resistance. It also matches the color of the tooth and the color of the gingival tissue, has low weight and heat resistance [19][20][21][22][23]. There is a small number of papers in the literature on the efficacy * email: raluca_baciu2002@yahoo.com; zanaamaseluta@yahoo.com; ioanamartu@yahoo.com of this material as a substitute for the chromium-cobalt alloy and it needs testing in different clinical situations to allow for universal acceptance [24].…”