The Effect of ZrO2 Nanoparticles Addition on Candida Adherence and Tensile Strength of 3D Printed Denture Base Resin

To enhance 3D printed denture base resin performance; ZrO2 nanoparticles were added to improve the biological and mechanical behavior. (110) specimens (50 dumbbell- shaped and 60 discs) were 3D printed and divided into five groups per test (n=10). The control group for each test included unreinforced 3Dprinted denture base resin, while the test groups reinforced with (1, 2, 3, and 4 %) nanoZrO2; with positive control of nystatin 1.4% for candida adherence test. Tensile strength was evaluated using universal testing machine while candida test was evaluated by spectrophotometer device through optical density verification. The study showed significant increase in antifungal activity of the 3Dprinted denture base resin after adding nano ZrO2 .The tensile strength mean was significantly higher than the control group; although the mean was decreasing with increasing the ZrO2 NPs.  The addition of ZrO2 nanoparticles increasing the antifungal activity of the 3D denture base resin, the increasing was proportional to the nanoparticles concentration. The tensile strength of the 3D denture base resin was significantly improved with 1% of ZrO2 NPs concentration among 2, 3 and 4%.