The Influence of Saliva pH on the Fracture Resistance of Two Types of Implant-Supported Bis-Acrylic Resin Provisional Crowns—An In Vitro Study

Abstract

Temporary restorations play a fundamental role in oral rehabilitation. A properly adapted implant-supported provisional restoration implies better esthetics, contouring and architectural modeling of the upper peri-implant tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of oral pH on the fracture resistance of implant-supported provisional restorations made with two brands of bis-acrylic resin (LuxaCrown® and Protemp™ 4) and to compare the fracture resistance of these two materials. Twenty crowns (ten manufactured using each brand) served as a control, and another forty crowns (twenty of each brand) were aged using artificial saliva with pHs of 4 or 7, for 7 days at 37 °C, in an attempt to simulate the behavior of these materials inside the oral cavity. Subsequently, all crowns were subjected to the application of a force at a constant speed, in a universal testing machine, until fracture was achieved. The LuxaCrown® brand showed greater resistance to fracture than the Protemp™ 4 brand. Salivary pH did not influence the fracture resistance of provisional LuxaCrown® crowns but did influence the fracture resistance of provisional Protemp™ 4 crowns.