The efficacy of Hibiscus sabdariffa as a fibre-reinforcement material for denture base acrylic resins
Authors:   , Okeke Kenneth Nkemdilim 
Published: October 2021

The poor mechanical properties of denture base acrylic resins can cause dentures to fracture either through impact or stress fatigue. Various metal reinforcing materials such as powders, nets, plates and wires together with synthetic fibres are therefore used to improve the strength properties of denture base acrylic resins. Despite their benefits, they are difficult to apply during fabrication, are costly, non-recyclable, and not environmentally friendly. The suitability of Hibiscus sabdariffa (H. sabdariffa) as a fibre reinforcement material for denture base acrylic resins was therefore investigated. A quantitative research paradigm and a two-phased experimental research design was used. The preliminary study used Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) to assess the characteristics of, and the effect of, mercerisation on H. sabdariffa fibres. In determining the suitability of H. sabdariffa fibres, fibre diameter, fibre density, moisture content and absorption were examined. The main study investigated the mechanical and physical properties of two sample groups namely: the unreinforced (control) group and the H. sabdariffa fibre-reinforced (test) group denture base acrylic resins. The flexural strength, impact strength, specific wear rate, hardness and water absorption behaviour were determined in line with ASTM D 790 and D 256, G 99, D 2583 and D 570 methods of testing, respectively. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used to analyse the mean differences (p = 0.05) between the unreinforced and the H. sabdariffa fibre-reinforced denture base acrylic resins. The preliminary study revealed that H. sabdariffa fibres favourably compared to other lignocellulosic fibres in terms of fibre diameter, fibre density, water content and absorption behaviour. In the main study, a t-test revealed that there were significant differences in flexural strength at 0oC (p < 0.0001) and at 65oC (p < 0.0025) between the two sample groups. Similarly, there were significant differences in the impact strength between the two sample groups at 0oC (p < 0.031) and at 65oC (p < 0.0001). In contrast to the 200g load, there were significant differences (p < 0.044) in the specific wear rate of the unreinforced and the H. sabdariffa fibre-reinforced denture base acrylic resins at the 500g load. The hardness values revealed no significant differences (p > 0.707) between the two sample groups. There were however, significant differences (p < 0.041) in the water absorption rate between the two sample groups. Overall, the prominent features of this study showed that H. sabdariffa fibre is a suitable reinforcement fibre material for denture base acrylic resins and is in compliance with ISO 1567: 1999. Although this study found that H. sabdariffa fibres can be used as reinforcement material for denture base acrylic resins, the results cannot be generalised to clinical conditions, therefore in vitro and in vivo investigations are recommended.