Comparative Wear Evaluation of Glazed and Non-Glazed Acrylic Denture Teeth Over 12 Months

Abstract

Introduction: Tooth wear in complete dentures is an inevitable consequence of masticatory and parafunctional activity. Loss of vertical dimension, decreased chewing efficiency, and compromised aesthetics result over time, affecting patient satisfaction and prosthesis lifespan [1,2].

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the wear resistance of artificial acrylic denture teeth with and without an enamel (glaze) layer over 6 and 12 months in vivo.

Methods: Fifty-two edentulous patients were rehabilitated with complete dentures fabricated with Ruthinium Acry Lux three-layered acrylic teeth. Each participant received a glazed and a non-glazed (sandblasted) prosthesis. Impressions were taken at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. A 3D optical profilometer (MicroXAM-100) was used to measure vertical wear. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests and independent t-tests.

Results: Non-glazed teeth exhibited significantly higher wear compared with glazed teeth (p = 0.001). Mean wear for non-glazed teeth was 131.13 ± 20.68 µm at 6 months and 219.58 ± 20.09 µm at 12 months, while glazed teeth showed 96.87 ± 20.69 µm and 176.60 ± 17.06 µm at the same intervals.

Conclusions: Preservation of the glaze layer improves wear resistance of denture teeth, promoting better long-term prosthetic performance.