Dental Materials

LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

FACULTY OF DENTISTRY
Doctor of Dental Surgery
Dental Materials: (0909)
Dr. MANGALA DEIVANAI (mangaladeivanai@mahsa.edu.my)
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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

Learning outcome
• At the end of the lecture the students wil be able to:

• Outline the basic chemistry of polymers

• Discuss basic requirements and classify denture base resins
• list the composition
• Explain the composition and Powder :Liquid ratio of Acrylic resin
• List the various types of denture base resins in use and their curing
techniques
 Dental Materials
LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

• Introduction
• Brief history of denture base materials
• Requirements of an ideal denture base material
• Classification of denture base materials
• a. According to ANSI and ISO Specification
• b. According to types
• Composition of acrylic denture base material
• Powder/ liquid ratio
• Chemical and physical stages of polymerization
• Curing and molding techniques for various acrylic resin
• Polymerization shrinkage
• Newer denture base materials
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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

Introduction

• Denture base is that part of the

denture which rests on the soft tissues.
The denture base derives its support
through intimate contact with the
underlying oral tissues.

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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

History
1840 ,dentures from hard wood, ivory or bone with natural
teeth held by screws or other means were common before 1800.
The introduction and development of casting and forging
procedures showed metals and metal alloys as viable denture
bases, followed by porcelain.

Before the advent of denture base resin, the materials used are –
• Vulcanite
• Nitrocellulose
• Phenol formaldehyde
• Vinyl plastics
• Porcelain
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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

1932 and after:

Vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate dentures were available.

1937:
Dr Walter Wright introduced PMMA, first trade name was
VERONITE.

In 1946 more than 95% of the denture bases used were of

PMMA type or its copolymers with porcelain teeth for
denture fabrications.

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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

REQUIREMENTS
Requirements of a denture base material can be listed under
the following headings:
➢Physical properties
➢Mechanical properties
➢Chemical properties
➢Biological properties
➢Miscellaneous
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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES:
1.Appearance—
• Color - match the appearance of the oral soft tissues
• depending on whether the base will be visible when the
mouth is opened.

2. Glass transition temperature:

Should be high enough to prevent softening and
distortion during use.
3. Dimensional stability:
Dimensional stable to maintain the shape of the
denture for extended duration.
➢ Factors influencing dimensional instability are
• temperature,
• internal stresses,
• continued polymerization &
• water sorption.
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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

4.Specific Gravity:
• a low value of specific gravity in order that dentures should be
as light as possible
• This reduces the gravitational displacing forces which may
act on an upper denture.
5. Thermal Conductivity:
A high value would enable the denture wearer to maintain a
healthy oral mucosa and to retain a normal reaction to hot and cold
stimuli.
Radio-opacity:
➢The denture base should ideally be radiopaque. This might
be helpful in detection of denture if accidentally swallowed.
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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
1. modulus of elasticity: should
be high to provide rigidity for
denture
2. elastic limit : High to overcome
encountered during biting and
mastication without causing
permanent deformation.
A combination of high modulus
and high elastic limit would
allow the denture base to be
fabricated in thin sections.
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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

3. flexural strength :to resist

fracture.
• Fractures of upper
dentures usually occurs
through the midline of the
denture are due to flexing

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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

4. Adequate fatigue life and

a high value of fatigue
limit.
5. Good impact strength:
Impact strength is the
ability of the denture
base to resist fracture.
6. Sufficient abrasion
resistance to prevent
excessive wear of
material by abrasive
denture cleansers or food
stuffs.
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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
1. should be chemically inert.
2. It should, be insoluble in oral fluids
3. should not absorb water or saliva may alter the
mechanical properties of the material

4. BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES
• should not be harmful to the technician.
• non toxic and non irritant to the patient.
• should be impermeable to oral fluids.
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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

MISCELLANEOUS PROPERTIES
• Inexpensive.
• long shelf life.
• Easy to manipulate and fabricate without using expensive
processing equipments.
• Easy to repair, if fractures do occur.
✓ Additional features:
• have color stability,
• absence of taste and odor,
• adhesion to plastics, metals and porcelains
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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

CLASSIFICATIONS OF DBM
• BASED ON THE METHOD USED FOR ITS ACTIVATION:- –
• Chemically activated
• heat activated
• light activated
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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

Denture base materials

Metallic Non metallic

E.g. E.g.
Cobalt chromium, Acrylic resins
Gold alloys, Vinyl resins
Aluminum,
Stainless steel

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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

ACRYLIC DENTURE BASES

In the mid-1940’s, most denture bases have been fabricated
using poly(methyl methacrylate) resins. Such resins are
resilient plastics formed by joining multiple methyl
methacrylate molecules.
Classification of denture base polymer according to ISO
1567:
1.Heat-processing polymers,
• powder and liquid.
• Heat-processed(plastic cake).
2.Auto-polymerised polymers,
• powder and liquid.
• powder and liquid pour type resins.
3.Thermoplastic blank or powder.
4.Light-activated materials. 17

5.Microwave-cured material.
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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

According to their duration of use

Temporary
Eg Permanent
Selfcure resins, Heat cure acrylic,
Shellac baseplate, Metallic denture bases
Baseplate wax.

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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

ACRYLIC RESIN DENTURE BASES

• resilient plastics formed by joining
multiple methyl methacrylate molecules.
• These are available as
• Methylmethacrylate (liquid)
• Monomers are generally liquids or
gases and during the process of
Polymerization they become converted to
crystalline or amorphous solids.
• Poly (methyl methacrylate) – (powder)
Polymer: Consist of very large molecules. Made up
of several monomer units connected to each other
along the polymer chain by covalent bonds.

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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF DENTURE BASE RESINS:

1. Polymerization shrinkage:
During polymerization, when pure monomer is polymerized there is a
volumetric shrinkage of 21% but when mixed with polymer in 3:1 ratio it
reduces to 7% and this is distributed uniformly to all surfaces , hence produce
clinically satisfactory results

2. WATER SORPTION
• PMMA absorbs relatively small amounts of water when placed in
aqueous environment by diffusion.
• This causes a slight expansion of the polymerized mass and also water
interfere with entanglement of polymer chain , thereby act as plasticizer.
• Water sorption=0.69mg\cm2.

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3. SOLUBILITY:
Poly (methyl methacrylate) is virtually insoluble in water
and oral fluids. They are soluble in ketones, esters and
aromatics and chlorinated hydrocarbons.

4. CRAZING:
Stress relaxation may sometimes produce small
surface flaws or micro cracks. Adversely affect aesthetic
and physical properties. Imparts a “hazy” appearance,
also predisposes to fracture. Generally begins at the
surface of a resin, oriented at right angles to tensile
stress.
5. COLOR STABILITY
Heat cured acrylic resins have (greater) colour
stability. The colour stability of selfcure resins is slightly
lower (yellows very slightly).

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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

6. STRENGTH:
Depends on composition, processing
technique and oral environment.
COMPRESSIVE AND TENSILE
STRENGTHS:
Have adequate compressive and tensile
strength for complete or partial denture
applications.
Compressive strength - 75 MP
Tensile strength - 52 MP

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POLYMERIZATION
The forming of a compound by the joining together of molecules of small
molecular weights into a compound of large molecular weight [G.P.T]
Polymerization Mechanisms :
Basically of 2 types
1.Step-growth or condensation type: Primary compounds react, often
with the formation of by- products such as water, halogen acids and
ammonia--- hence known as condensation polymerization

2.Addition polymerization

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ADDITION POLYMERIZATION:

• Most dental resins are polymerized by addition polymerization.

Macromolecules are formed from smaller units(monomer) without
change in composition. Structure of monomer is repeated.

• The word polymerization when used alone means addition

polymerization. Here there is no change in chemical composition
and no by products are formed during the formation of
macromolecules. In this type of polymer the structure of the
monomer is repeated many times in the polymer.

Cont’d

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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

STAGES OF POLYMERIZATION

❖INDUCTION
❖PROPAGATION
❖TERMINATION
❖CHAIN TRANSFER

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INDUCTION:
Two process control the induction stage :Activation and initiation.

❖Activator
❖Can be chemical, heat visible light, ultraviolet light or energy
transfer from another compound which will activate initiator to
produce free radical/reactive species/active radical.

❖Initiator
❖Are free radical producing molecules.
❖These molecules contain one relatively weak bond which is able
to undergo decomposition to form 2 reactive species with unstable
electronic configuration.
❖Each carrying an unpaired electron

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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

❖Benzoyl peroxide is one example. Used for initiation

of polymerization of poly(methyl methacrylate).
❖Benzoyl peroxide decompose at relatively low
temperatures(50-100 c)to release 2 free radicals per
molecule.
❖ Induction period is the time during which initiator
form free radical.

Free radical + Monomer = Free radical [activated]

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PROPAGATION:
❖During this stage , activated monomers attack the double bonds of
additional available monomers, resulting in the rapid addition of
monomer molecules to the free radicals.
❖Little energy is required , hence the process continues with
considerable velocity.
polymer free radical + monomer =Growing chain

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TERMINATION:
Chain reactions can be terminated either by direct coupling or by
the exchange of a hydrogen atom from one growing chain to
another.
Free radical polymer + Free radical = Polymer chain

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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials
INHIBITION OF POLYMERIZATION :
❖Any impurity in the monomer that can react with the free
radicals inhibits or retards the polymerization reaction.

❖Example – addition of hydroquinone to the monomer inhibits

polymerization if no initiator is present and it retards the
polymerization in the presence of the initiator.

❖Presence of oxygen also causes retardation of the

polymerization reaction, because oxygen reacts with the free
radicals.
❖If polymerization occurs in open air , the reaction velocity and
the degree of polymerization are decreased.
❖Thus air thinning of bonding resins should be avoided to
optimize curing in important regions of a restoration.
❖Addition of inhibitor to the monomer help in prevention of
polymerization during storage.
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Polymer monomer interaction Sandy stage

• When monomer and polymer are
mixed in the proper proportions,
a workable mass is produced.
On standing the resultant mass
passes through the following
five stages.

1. SANDY
2. STRINGY
3. DOUGH LIKE
4. RUBBERY / ELASTIC
5. STIFF

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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

HEAT ACTIVATED DENTURE BASE RESINS

Composition:
Powder:
• prepolymerized spheres of poly (methyl- methacrylate)
• Initiator – benzoyl peroxide

Liquid:
• Unpolymerized methyl methacrylate
• Inhibitor – hydroquinone to prevent undesirable polymerization
or setting of the liquid during storage.
• Cross linking agent – glycol di methacrylate.
Cont’d
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Activator: heat.
• Thermal energy required for polymerization may be provided
using
a. water bath
b. micro wave oven.
• Polymer : monomer ratio – 3 : 1. This ratio will reduce volumetric
shrinkage from 21% to 6%

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Processing techniques :
❖Commonly employed technique to shape a heat activated resin -
compression molding technique.
❖The other technique is injection molding technique, For which
specially designed flask is used. Commonly used resin is
polystyrene resin.
❖After shaping denture base resin is polymerized.

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POLYMERIZATION CYCLE
Heating process used to control polymerization is termed as curing cycle.
The two techniques are
❖74ºc (165ºF) for 8 hours or long without terminal
boiling treatment.

❖74ºc (165ºF) for approximately 2hr and increase the

temperature of water bath to100ºc for one hour.

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Porosity
`Internal porosity:
• It is due to the vaporization of monomer
when the temperature of the resin
increases above the boiling point of
monomer.
• It is seen in thick portion as the heat is not
able to dissipiate through the investment
when compared to the metal surface of the
flask.

External porosity:
• Lack of homogeneity may lead to
localized shrinkage porosity.
• Lacks of adequate pressure – the voids are
irregular in shape.
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Injection Molding:
The injection molding machine consists of two basic components: the clamp unit
and the injection unit. The clamp unit holds and clamps the tool into position while
the injection unit plasticizes and injects the material into the mold which has been
positioned by the clamp unit. The clamp force must be sufficient to hold the mold
closed against the hydraulic pressure of the material being injected under high
pressure by the injection unit.

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POLYMERIZATION VIA MICRO WAVE

ENERGY:
❖Technique employs a specially
formulated resin and a nonmetallic
flask.
❖A conventional microwave oven is
used to supply the thermal energy
required for polymerization.
❖Poly carbonate flask is used instead
of metal.
❖Advantage is the speed, with which
polymerization is accomplished [4-5
minutes]
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CHEMICALLY ACTIVATED DENTURE BASE RESINS:

COMPOSITION
POWDER
• Polymer - Poly (methyl methacrylate)
• Benzoyl peroxide initiator – 0.2-0.5%.
• Pigment, about 1% ground into
polymer particles.

LIQUID
• Methyl methacrylate
• 0.006Monomer % hydroquinone –
inhibitor.
• Activator: addition of tertiary
amine(di methyl- para-toluidine)
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• Color stability is inferior to that of heat cured one – presence of

tertiary amine which oxidizes easily.
• Discoloration can be minimized by addition of stabilizing agents to
prevent oxidation.

Processing techniques:

1. compression molding technique.

2. fluid resin technique
3. Sprinkle on technique
4. Adapting technique
5. Injection moulding technique

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Light activated denture base resins:

Composition: composite having a
matrix of
a. urethane-di-methacrylate.
b. micro fine silica.
c. High molecular weight acrylic
resin monomers.
d. Fillers- acrylic resin beads.
e. Initiator- camphoro quinone
Activator – visible light.

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Advantages:

No methyl methacrylate monomer

Less polymerization shrinkage.
Improved fit.
Requires less equipment.
Time saving

Disadvantages:

Decreased elastic modulus.

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Recent advances:

Several modified poly (methyl methacrylate) materials have been used for
denture base applications. These include:
✓ Pour type of denture resins,
✓ hydrophilic polyacrylates.
✓ High impact strength resins,
✓ Rapid heat polymerized acrylic and
✓ Light-activated denture base material.

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Polyamides
• Nylon is a generic name for certain types of thermoplastic polymers belonging to the
class known as polyamides.
• Polyamides are produced by the condensation reactions between a diamine and a
dibasic acid.
• Nylon is a crystalline polymer, whereas PMMA is amorphous.
• This crystalline effect accounts for the lack of solubility of nylon in solvents, as well
as high heat resistance and high strength coupled with ductility.

• Nylon materials have other advantages including higher elasticity than common heat
polymerizing resins, toxicological safety for patients with resin monomer and metal
allergy, use of heat-molding instead of chemical polymerization to control the
polymerization shrinkage.

• On the other side, polyamides have several disadvantages such as water sorption,
surface roughness, bacterial colonization, warpage, color deterioration, and difficulty
in polishing
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LESSON 1 :Denture Base Materials

High impact acrylic:

This type of acrylic is also made by the heat cured

dough method. These materials are butadiene styrene
rubber-reinforced poly (methyl methacrylate).
Impact resistance arises from the incorporation of
rubber phase into the beads during their suspension
polymerization.

Certain rubbers dissolve in methyl methacrylate

monomer notably copolymers of butadiene with
styrene .
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Rapid heat-polymerized resins:

These are hybrid acrylics that are polymerized in boiling water

immediately after being packed into a denture flask. After being
placed into the boiling water, the water is brought back to a full boil
for 20 minutes. After the usual bench cooling to room temperature,
the denture is deflasked, trimmed, and polished in the usual
manner. The initiator is formulated to allow for rapid
polymerization without the porosity.

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References
1. Philips science of Dental Sciences: kenneth J Anusavice

2. Applied dental materials: John Mc Cabe