Physical properties of vanillin incorporated self-curing orthodontic polymethylmethacrylate resin

Abstract

© 2020 Trans Tech Publications Ltd, Switzerland. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) resin is the main polymeric material used in removable orthodontic appliances. However, it can promote the adhesion of microbes due to its surface porosity and from long-term use. While vanillin incorporated PMMA resin has been reported to have antimicrobial effects against Candida albicans, the influence of vanillin incorporation on the physical properties of self-curing orthodontic PMMA resin has not been studied. Objective: To determine the flexural strength and flexural modulus of self-curing orthodontic PMMA resin incorporated with vanillin in different concentrations. Materials and methods: Three groups of self-curing orthodontic PMMA with incorporated vanillin concentrations of 0.1%, 0.5% as well as PMMA without vanillin as a control were prepared with ten specimens per group. Flexural strength and flexural modulus were tested by a 3-point bending machine according to ISO 20795-2:2013 specifications. One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparison tests at a p<0.05 significance level were used to analyse the data. Results: The 0.1% vanillin incorporated group met ISO standard requirements (flexural strength = 60.48 MPa, flexural modulus = 1756.60 MPa), while the 0.5% vanillin incorporated group failed to pass this standard (flexural strength = 46.94 MPa, flexural modulus = 1423.49 MPa). The means of both flexural strength and flexural modulus showed significant differences among the three groups. Increasing the concentration of vanillin would decrease the flexural strength and flexural modulus of PMMA resin. Conclusion: The incorporation of vanillin into self-curing orthodontic PMMA resin can affect its physical properties, namely flexural strength and flexural modulus. At a concentration of 0.1% vanillin incorporation, PMMA resin displayed physical properties within the ISO standards.