The Effect of Zirconium Oxide Nanoparticle on the Tear Strength of Maxillofacial Silicone

Abstract

Aims: The study aimed to investigate the outcome of different concentrations (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2% by weight ) of zirconium oxide (ZrO2) nanoparticle on tear strength of room temperature vulcanized maxillofacial silicone material. Materials and methods: A total of (50) samples were prepared following the manufacture instruction and divided into five groups (n=10). The group A (control group) without nanoparticle, group B (0.5% ZrO2), group C (1% ZrO2), group D (1.5% ZrO2), group E (2% ZrO2). The tear strength samples were measured by a universal testing machine. Result: there was a highly significant difference between the groups' mean values. The control group (21.91 N/mm) showed non-significant difference with both 0.5% ZrO2 group (22.46 N/mm) and 2% ZrO2 (23.22 N/mm), but a highly significant difference with groups 1% ZrO2 (25.37 N/mm) and 1.5% ZrO2 (27.44 N/mm). Whereas the 0.5% ZrO2 group showed a highly significant difference with both groups (1% and 1.5% ZrO2),but no significant difference with 2% ZrO2 group. 1% ZrO2 group showed a significant difference with 1.5% ZrO2 group and a highly significant difference with 2% ZrO2 group. But group 1.5 % ZrO2 has a highly significant difference with group 2% ZrO2. Conclusion: Incorporation of ZrO2 nanoparticle at 1% and 1.5% by weight enhanced the tear strength of the VST 50F RTV maxillofacial silicone material.

Keywords

• maxillofacial prosthesis; tear strength; nanoparticle