Flexural Strength of Various Provisional Restorative Materials for Rehabilitation After Aging.

PURPOSE

Durability of provisional restoration is crucial for full-mouth reconstruction, which may be influenced by aging. This study evaluated the effect of aging on the flexural strength of provisional materials for oral rehabilitation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Bar specimens (2×2×25 mm) were fabricated from CAD-CAM [Vita CAD-Temp (VC), Telio CAD (TC), artBloc (RC)], autopolymerized [Protemp™IV (PA), Luxatemp (LA), Unifast™Trad (UA)], and heat-polymerized polymer [Major C & B; (MH)]. Each was divided into aging (AG, 5000 thermocycles of 5°/55°C) and nonaging groups (NG, n = 15/group). Flexural strength (σ, MPa) was determined in a universal testing machine at 1 mm/min crosshead speed. An analysis of variance and multiple comparisons were determined for significant difference (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

TCNG indicated the highest mean of σ (133.49 ±4.32), whereas VCNG indicated the lowest mean of σ (84.62 ±3.73) for nonaging. Upon aging process, TCAG revealed the highest mean of σ (123.11 ±4.55), while VCAG possessed the lowest mean of σ (84.05 ±6.39). Significant differences among various provisional materials were indicated (p = 0.001). Aging significantly affected flexural strength (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The CAD-CAM provisional material possessed higher flexural strength than heat-polymerized PMMA and autopolymerized PMMA, which was suggested as a provisional material for rehabilitation. Aging reduced strength for all materials tested.