Comparison of tribological properties of modern polymeric materials used in prosthetic dental treatment
Assoc. Prof. Katarzyna Sarna-Boś1, Dr. Robert Zubrzycki1, Dr. Jarosław Zubrzycki2, Dr. Dorota Wójcik1, Diana Zubrzycka3, Assoc. Prof. Janusz Borowicz1
1 Department of Dental Prosthetics, Medical University of Lublin,
2 Department of Mathematics and Technical Informatics, Department of Technical Informatics, University of Technology in Lublin,
3 Paediatric Dentistry Clinic, University Center of Dentistry in Lublin
Objectives
The aim of the study was to examine and compare the tribological properties of modern polymeric materials used in prosthodontics in the manufacture of fixed dental prostheses.
Materials and Methods
The materials used in the study were PEKK: Pekkton (Cendres Metaux), PEEK: breCAM. HIPC (Bredent) and Copra PEEK (Whitepeaks), FRC-type material Cerasmart 270 (GC), PMMA material (Huge) and 3D Pro Multilayer zirconium dioxide (Aidite) as a comparison material. Cylindrical specimens with base diameter (d)=20mm and height (h)=20mm were cut from factory discs or blocks using CAD/CAM technology in a Zircon Zahn milling machine. Six test specimens were made of each material. A series of tribological tests were performed for each sample, which were carried out in a dry and corrosive environment on an Anton Paar Tribotester TRB test stand. The weight change of the samples was determined using a RADWAG analytical scale.
Results
The lowest values of percentage weight loss after both dry and liquid friction were observed for zirconium dioxide material, while the highest values were observed for PMMA. The average percentage weight loss of individual samples after friction tests in dry and corrosive environments, respectively, was as follows: Pekkton 3.01% and 1.94%, breCAM. HIPC 2.96% and 2.44%, Copra PEEK 3.35% and 2.98%, Cerasmart 270 4.35% and 3.51%, PMMA 7.03% and 5.86%, 3D Pro Multilayer 2.2% and 1.56%. There were statistically significant differences between the groups of materials tested in terms of percentage weight loss after dry and liquid friction.
Conclusions
All examined materials showed lower values of percentage weight loss during liquid friction tests than during dry friction what indicate that the presence of a corrosive environment increases wear resistance of tested materials. To ensure the lowest possible material loss, the correction of prosthetic restorations should be carried out in liquid environment.