Fiber-reinforced nanopigmented poly(methyl methacrylate) as improved denture base

Nanopigmented and fiber‐reinforced poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were synthesized for denture bases, by incorporating E‐glass fibers, flock fibers, or polyethylene fibers into the PMMA powder formulation to improve the flexural behavior and porosity; decreasing the Candida albicans adherence and being noncytotoxic. The commercial acrylic resin, Lucitone 199 was used as a control group. Scanning electron microscopy analysis was performed to the PMMA particles and the reinforcing fibers. Flexural strength increased by adding E‐glass fibers in the PMMA powder as compared to flock and polyethylene fibers. The reinforced PMMA with flock fibers showed the lower porosity even smaller than Lucitone 199. The synthesized PMMA and the fiber reinforced nanopigmented PMMA groups reduced significantly the C. albicans adherence when compared to the commercial acrylic resin. All the tested groups were found to be nontoxic materials after being in contact with mouse fibroblast culture during 24 h, showing that these novel nanostructured composites are suitable for producing adequate and nontoxic reinforced materials with antimicrobial properties for dentistry applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012