Structure, Surface Topography, and Glass Transition Temperature of Dental Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) Resin Conjugated with 3,9-bisethenyl-2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro [5,5] Undecane as Cross-linker: An In Vitro Research.

Abstract

Aim and objectives: To characterize and analyze the structural presentation of a new denture base copolymer with a spiro-acetal cross-linker at 10 and 20 wt.% concentrations by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and field emission scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray (FESEM-EDX) spectroscopies. Also, to evaluate the glass transition temperature (T_G) of the new copolymer.

Materials and methods: The investigational groups G10 and G20 were heat-cured with the new spiro-acetal cross-linker at the above-mentioned concentrations, respectively. The control group G0 was heat-cured without the new cross-linker. Nuclear magnetic resonance and EDX spectroscopies determined the copolymerization along with elemental composition. The surface characteristics were discerned by FESEM. Differential scanning calorimetry was employed to evaluate the T_G of the resultant copolymer. Appropriate statistical operations were performed to compare the mean T_G of the groups.

Results: The new copolymer's structure with the spiro-acetal cross-linker was configured with protons, carbons, aluminum, zirconium, yttrium, and silicon atoms. The T_G of the resultant copolymer was high when compared with the G0. The 20 wt.% spiro-acetal cross-linker in the copolymer exhibited the highest T_G.

Conclusion: The spiro-acetal cross-linking comonomer incorporated in the heat-cure denture polymer produced a new denture base copolymer with elevated T_G. The resultant configuration of the new copolymer was characterized, structurally presented, and confirmed.

Clinical significance: The new copolymer might exhibit augmented strength due to the copolymerized spiro-acetal cross-linker. Moreover, the smooth and regular surface of the copolymer would have minimum or negligible microbial adhesion due to the hydrophobicity of the spiro-acetal comonomer incorporated in the denture base composition. How to cite this article: Ravivarman C, Ajay R, Saatwika L, et al. Structure, Surface Topography, and Glass Transition Temperature of Dental Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) Resin Conjugated with 3,9-bisethenyl-2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro [5,5] Undecane as Cross-linker: An In Vitro Research. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(5):486-493.