Effects of repeated use of tungsten carbide burs on the surface roughness and contact angles of a CAD-CAM PMMA denture base resin

Abstract

Statement of problem: The surface roughness (Ra) and wettability of complete denture base materials must meet certain clinical requirements. Although computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) systems have recently become popular for the fabrication of complete dentures, the effects of the repeated usage of milling burs on the surface properties of CAD-CAM denture base acrylic resins have not yet been fully investigated.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of new and used burs on the Ra and contact angles (wettability) of a CAD-CAM polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) denture base material.

Material and methods: A total of 40 Ø2×10-mm disks were fabricated from 1 brand of CAD-CAM PMMA resin (Polident). Half of the specimens (group N) were milled with a new tungsten carbide bur set, while the other half (group U) was milled with a used tungsten carbide bur set. Moreover, half of the specimens (groups NT and UT) were subjected to thermocycling before Ra and contact angle testing. Ra was tested by using a profilometer, and the surfaces were also examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The contact angle was measured by using the sessile drop method. Data were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn Pairwise Comparison tests (α=.05).

Results: The mean contact angle was highest for group U (80 degrees) and lowest for group UT (66 degrees) (P<.05). Ra values were highest for group N (1.3 μm) and lowest for group U (0.93 μm) (P<.05).

Conclusions: Specimens milled with new tungsten carbide burs had lower mean contact angles and higher Ra values than specimens milled with used burs. The contact angles of CAD-CAM PMMA resin specimens milled with used burs decreased significantly after thermocycling. Regardless of whether or not thermocycling was performed, contact angle values decreased as Ra values increased.