Wear Resistance of Acrylic Resin Teeth against Porcelain and Natural Teeth

Statement of Problem: The effect of porcelain surface on the antagonist acrylic teeth has not been widely studied. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of polished porcelain, glazed porcelain, and natural teeth (as the control group) on the acrylic resin teeth. Materials and Methods: In this experimental-laboratory study, a total of 60 specimens of glazed and polished porcelain, natural teeth, and acrylic resin teeth were prepared; in groups of 15 samples each. The denture teeth specimens were examined in terms of tooth wear against glazed or polished or enamel surfaces. After the abrasion test using the polishing machine, the wear of each sample was measured based on the weight lost by a digital scale. The wear surfaces of acrylic teeth were observed by SEM to evaluate the wear characteristic. The data were analyzed using Independent Sample t-test. Results: The glazed and polished porcelain teeth abraded the denture teeth significantly more than the natural teeth (P=0.001). Although there was not a significant difference between the glazed and polished porcelain (P=0.059), the polished porcelain caused less tooth wear than the glazed porcelain. Conclusions: According to the results of this study, glazed porcelain caused less tooth wear on denture teeth than both of the polished porcelain and natural teeth.