Flexural properties of polyamide versus injection-molded polymethylmethacrylate denture base materials

Although polymethylmethacrylate is the most commonly used denture base resin, its limitation of compromised flexibility has promoted the use of nylon-based denture resins. Aims: The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare flexural strength and flexural modulus of two commercially available nylon-based flexible denture base materials, Valplast and Lucitone FRS, and injection-molded SR Ivocap polymethylmethacrylate denture base resin. Materials and Methods: A total of 15 samples of each group (Group A, B, C [Valplast, Lucitone FRS, SR Ivocap]) were prepared. All the samples were subjected to three-point bending test on an Instron Universal Testing machine to test their flexural strength and flexural modulus. Results: The results were statistically analyzed using SPSS Version 12. The difference in flexural modulus and flexural strength of all the three groups was statistically significant, P Conclusion: The mean flexural modulus of Valplast was significantly lower than Lucitone FRS, indicating that Valplast is less rigid, more flexible than Lucitone FRS, and hence more useful in conditions where flexibility in denture base is desired. SR Ivocap displayed flexural strength comparable with Lucitone, but less than Valplast.