Comparative Evaluation of The Microhardness of Artificial Teeth of Various Composition

Abstract

Statement of the problem: To help physicians choose the right materials for treatment planning, it is necessary to investigate to the mechanical and physical characteristics of denture teeth made with new technology. Objective: This study aims to investigate the comparative microhardness of artificial teeth with different composition. Materials & Methods: A total of 96 specimens (n=32) were prepared using three different types of artificial teeth (conventional polymethylmethacrylate, , and nanohybrid composite) (Group CA - Conventional PMMA, Group IS - Isosite Group DCL - double cross-linked acrylic). Surface hardness values were determined using a microhardness tester (Shimadzu HMV Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) with a load of 500 g and a dwell time of 15 seconds. Three indentations were obtained for each sample and the Vickers Hardness Number (VHN) was calculated and averaged. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc Tukey HSD tests were used for statistical analysis. The statistical significance level of the data was taken as α=0.05. Results: The highest microhardness values were observed in Group IS (53.96 ± 8.5 VHN) and the lowest in Group CA (53.55±9.9 VHN). However, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: For the durability and function of prosthetic rehabilitations performed by clinicians, the choice of artificial teeth should not be ignored, based on cost and accessibility criteria.