Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to synthesize α-cordierite ceramic powder as a reinforcement filler and evaluate its incorporation into a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) denture base to enhance thermal performance.
Materials and Methods: α-Cordierite ceramic powder was prepared from Al₂O₃, SiO₂, and MgO powders, which were mixed for 3 hours, melted to form a frit, and subsequently crushed, milled, sieved, and calcined. The denture base formulation comprised PMMA, α-cordierite ceramic powder, benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as the initiator, methyl methacrylate (MMA) as the monomer, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the cross-linking agent. Following standard dental laboratory protocols, α-cordierite powder at loadings of 0, 5, 10, and 15 wt% was dispersed into the MMA monomer via hand-mixing; the resulting dough-stage blend was packed into molds and processed into specimens.
Results: The incorporation of α-cordierite filler into the PMMA matrix altered the thermal properties of the denture base. The filled specimens exhibited higher degradation temperatures compared with the unfilled PMMA matrix. Furthermore, increasing the filler content progressively elevated the degradation temperature and enhanced the thermal stability of the PMMA composites.
Conclusion: The addition of α-cordierite ceramic powder as a reinforcement filler effectively improves the thermal stability and degradation resistance of PMMA denture bases, with higher filler loadings yielding superior thermal performance. (Open J Biomed Res 2026;5:52-64)