Flexural strength of denture base resin reinforced with aluminum oxide and processed by different processing techniques

Statement of problem: Flexural strength of denture base resin is considered primary mode of clinical failure. Objective: This study was done to compare the flexural strength of acrylic resin with or without addition of Al2O3 and processed with two techniques. Material and method: 10 samples each were processed using normal acrylic resin with conventional water bath technique, modified acrylic resin with 5% Al2O3 processed by conventional water bath technique, normal acrylic resin with microwave technique, modified acrylic resin with 5% Al2O3 processed with microwave technique. Data was analyzed using ANOVA. Result: Mean flexural strength(SD)were: Normal acrylic resin processed with conventional water bath technique-96.18(2.42), Modified acrylic resin with 5% Al2O3 processed by conventional water bath technique87.59(1.33), Normal acrylic resin processed with microwave technique-94.70(2.71), Modified acrylic resin with 5% Al2O3 processed with microwave technique83.95(1.24). Conclusion: The specimens of heat-curing acrylic resin reinforced with 5% Al2O3 filler provided no superior flexural than those with normal acrylic resin. The specimens of heat curing acrylic resin reinforced with Al2O3 filler showed no increase in flexural strength when processed by microwave technique.