Comparative characteristics of the properties of polymer materials used for the manufacture of removable denture bases

Aim – to conduct a comparative characterization of the properties of polymer materials (water absorption and solubility) used for the manufacture of removable denture bases using traditional and digital methods. Material and methods. To conduct the study, experimental samples were made from cold polymerized base resin based on polymethylmethacrylate Vertex Castapress (Vertex Dental, the Netherlands) and photopolymer material for 3D printing Next Dent Base (Next Dent, the Netherlands) in the amount of 5 pieces for each material. The study was conducted in accordance with GOST 31572-2012 “Polymer materials for denture bases”. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann – Whitney test. Results. For the photopolymer base material for 3D printing, Next Dent Base, the average value of water absorption is 9.857 ± 0.2165 micrograms/mm3, and solubility is 0.22 ± 0.1483 micrograms/mm3. For the basic cold-polymerized resin based on polymethylmethacrylate Vertex Castapress, the average value of water absorption is 13.46 ± 0.1826 micrograms/mm3, solubility is 0.74 ± 0.1342 micrograms/mm3. Conclusions. Criteria of water absorption and solubility are used to assess the ability of basic plastics to withstand the effects of saliva and are indicators of durability and bioinertness of dentures. Next Dent Base, a photopolymer base material for 3D printing, has better water absorption and solubility in comparison with Vertex Castapress cold polymerization resin, which indicates that this material has greater strength and wear resistance (the medians of the samples differ by 32.4% according to the criterion of water absorption, and by 75.0% according to the criterion of solubility).