Effect of Chitosan on the Mechanical Properties and Color Stability of Two Commercially Available Heat Cure Denture Base Resins: An In vitro Study

Abstract

Background: Chitosan is one of the new and promising biomaterials being used in dentistry. However, there are fewer studies available in the literature to estimate the mechanical properties of chitosan with heat polymerized denture base resin (DBR). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of incorporation of chitosan nanoparticles on flexural strength, fracture toughness, and color stability of two different types of heat cure DBR. Aim: The aim of the study is to evaluate the mechanical properties and color stability of two DBRs reinforced with different concentrations of chitosan. Materials and Methods: A total of 240 samples were made of DPI (n = 120) and Trevalon (n = 120) DBR. The samples of each type were divided into four groups depending on the concentration of chitosan-C 0, C 5, C 12.5, and C 20. Flexural strength and fracture toughness were estimated with a universal testing machine. Spectrophotometer was used to evaluate the color stability. Statistical Analysis: Results were compared with one-way analysis of variance, post hoc Tukey honest significant difference test, and Student’s t-test. Results: The results of the study showed that chitosan-reinforced DBR displayed enhanced mechanical properties. The test group with 5% chitosan nanoparticles had optimum mechanical properties among different test groups for both the DBR. The values for flexural strength and fracture toughness decreased with an increase in the percentage of chitosan. The addition of chitosan to DPI and Trevalon DBRs showed visible color change. Conclusion: The study concluded the Trevalon DBR with 5% chitosan showed the highest flexural strength and fracture toughness values. The addition of chitosan nanoparticles had no significant negative effects on heat‑cure acrylic resin’s color change property.