IODINATED METHACRYLATE COPOLYMERS AS X-RAY OPAQUE DENTURE BASE ACRYLICS

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate novel iodinated methacrylate copolymers as X-ray opaque denture base resins. Methods: The synthesis of specific monomers and suspension copolymerization wit h methyl methacrylate to produce copolymer beads. The resulting beads were professed in an identical manner to standard PMMA to produce test -pieces for mechanical testing. Results: Samples prepared from beads c ontaining 25 wt% of the iodinated copolymer exhibited an X-ray opacity equivalent to that exhibited by a similar thickness of aluminium. Fur thermore, the appearance and mechanical properties were comparable to standard PMMA, while thermal stability proved superior. Conclusion: Th ese novel iodinated methacrylate monomers show promise not only as pol ymerizable additives to methyl methacrylate to produce an X-ray opaque denture base but also as thermally stable copolymerizable additives t o other applications where X-ray opacity would be advantageous. (C) 19 97 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.