Dimensional accuracy and stability of polymethyl methacrylate reinforced with metal wire or with continuous glass fiber.

The aim of this study was to determine the dimensional accuracy and stability of denture base polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), which was reinforced in various ways. Autopolymerizing PMMA and heat-cured PMMA were reinforced either with semicircular steel wire or with a prefabricated experimental reinforcement made of continuous E-glass fiber. Control specimens had no reinforcement. The width of each U-shaped test specimen was measured with a digital micrometer under a light microscope immediately after the test specimen was cured and when stored in water for 1, 2, 7, and 14 days. The results revealed that both the type of PMMA and the type of reinforcement affected the dimensional accuracy of the test specimens, especially after 7 and 14 days in water storage (p < 0.001). The greatest dimensional accuracy was found with the unreinforced test specimen made from autopolymerizing PMMA and with test specimens reinforced with the metal wire made from heat-cured PMMA. In terms of the width of the test specimens, the lowest dimensional accuracy was found in unreinforced and glass fiber reinforced specimens made from heat-cured PMMA. Storage in water did not affect the stability of the width (p > 0.1). The results suggest that the polymerization shrinkage of PMMA causes lower dimensional accuracy of the test specimens reinforced with glass fiber. This should be considered when glass-fiber reinforcement is used clinically.