Improved brushing durability of titanium dioxide coating on polymethylmethacrylate substrate by prior treatment with acryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane-based agent for denture application.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the brushing durability of a titanium dioxide coating on a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) substrate was improved by prior treatment with an acryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane-based agent. Titanium dioxide coatings were obtained by spray-coating substrates with or without prior treatment. Structure was investigated using IR, SEM, and an EPMA. Effect on durability against brushing was determined with a brush-wear test machine utilizing a commercial denture brush. A thin layer comprised of siloxane and TiO(2) was formed on a PMMA substrate by prior treatment with an acryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane-based agent and spray-coating of TiO(2). Prior treatment demonstrated improved stability against brushing, whereas the titanium coating was removed after less than 1x10(5) brushing cycles without prior treatment. This suggests that prior treatment with an acryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane-based agent would confer improved durability against brushing-induced stress on a TiO(2) coating in its application to dentures.