Improving Polymethyl Methacrylate Resin Using a Novel Nano-Ceramic Coating

Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) has been broadly applied in dental implant supported restorations and removable dentures. These prostheses are used by 10’s of millions of Americans. Unfortunately, PMMA has poor wear/abrasion resistance. It is relatively porous and promotes adhesion of complex oral biofilms consisting of a broad range of pathogens. As a result, these prostheses are widely regarded as infected devices resulting in significant patient consequences including oral mucositis and systemic co-morbidities (e.g., aspiration pneumonia). Thin-film nano-coating can eliminate these drawbacks while retaining the advantages of PMMA by providing functionality of self-cleaning, non-stick property and disinfectant capabilities. In this study, Atomic Layer Deposition technique was chosen because the coating process can be done at low temperature, which is favorable for low melting point materials like PMMA. Besides, after deposition, increasing surface wettability and wearing resistance can largely reduce the attachment and biofilm formation of fungi - Candida albicans, which would like to attach to hydrophobic surface and form biofilm on porous, high surface roughness acrylic resin base. Due to the self-limiting reactions and accurate control of deposition film thickness, ALD coated TiO2-PMMA can still maintain the preferable mechanical bending strength of PMMA. This innovation will facilitate the removal of pathogenic factors from prostheses, thereby reducing organisms and their impact on oral and systemic health. Given the large increase of the patient population, the potential impact is significant.