Denture bases are fabricated routinely using Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) acrylic resin. Yet, it is commonly known for its major drawbacks such as insufficient strength and ductility. The purpose of this study was to improve the performance of PMMA acrylic resin as a denture base material by reinforcement with surface treated lithium disilicate glass ceramic powder. The ceramic powder was prepared by grinding and sieving IPS e.max CAD MT blocks. Then, the powder was surface treated with an organosilane coupling agent (TMSPM) and added to PMMA in amount of 1%, 3%, 5% and 7% by weight. Characterizations of the powder was done by particle size analysis, XRD and FTIR. Transverse strength, Impact strength, Shore D hardness and surface roughness were tested for the prepared composites and neat PMMA. Particle size analysis showed that the average particle diameter was 1.46 µm. XRD confirmed the microstructure of IPS e.max CAD MT. FTIR showed the presence of TMSPM functional groups in the powder after treatment and there was a chemical interaction between the treated powder and the PMMA after the addition. One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test showed that there was a highly significant increase (P < 0.01) in transverse strength, impact strength and hardness with non-significant increase in roughness for 1% group. The mean values of 1% group were 67.3 MPa for transverse strength, 5.21 kJ/m2 for impact strength, 89.8 for Shore D hardness and 1.22 µm for surface roughness. While for control group, mean values were 59.3 MPa for transverse strength, 3.74 kJ/m2 for impact strength, 87.1 for Shore D hardness and 1.1 µm for surface roughness. However, with higher amounts of powder, there was a highly significant decrease in transverse strength and increase in roughness which was considered undesirable. In conclusion, reinforcing PMMA denture base material with 1% lithium disilicate glass ceramic powder may have the potential for enhancing the clinical performance of this material.
