Impact of colloidal silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) added for their antimicrobial efficacy on the compressive strength of poly(methyl methacrylate)-based acrylic denture base resin subjected to two different curing cycles: An in vitro study

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Colloidal silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been incorporated into acrylic resins to induce antimicrobial properties. However, as additives, they can influence the mechanical properties of the final product. The aim of the present study was to evaluate compressive strength of acrylic denture base resin incorporated with different concentrations of AgNPs subjected to two different curing cycles. Materials and Methods: Lucitone 199 acrylic denture base resin was used in the present in vitro study design because of its high-impact strength, while AgNPs were incorporated at 0.5% and 5% concentration by polymer mass. Specimens devoid of AgNPs were used as controls. The specimens were fabricated according to the American Dental Association specification No. 12 for denture base resin: Second revision, BS specification 2482 and tested for compressive strength using universal testing machine. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Descriptive statistics was used to compare two different curing cycles; while one-way analysis of variance and Kruskal–Wallis H-test were used for statistical analysis. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Colloidal silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) incorporation at 0.5% concentration increased the mean compressive strength in both the short and long curing cycles by 5.3% and 8.3% respectively when compared with the control group. Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggested that the mean compressive strength of acrylic denture base resin modified with 0.5% concentration of AgNPs was above the control group, both in the short and long curing cycles. However, at 5% concentration of AgNPs, decrease in compressive strength compared to the control group was observed, both in short and long curing cycles, giving it a questionable prognosis, while the results were found to be statistically significant. The following core competencies are addressed in this article: Practice-based learning and improvement, Patient care and procedural skills, Systems-based practice, Medical knowledge.