Effect of Adding Silver Nanoparticles on the Flexural Strength of Feldspathic Porcelain.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the flexural strength of feldspathic porcelain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty bar-shaped ceramic specimens were prepared in five groups, including a control group and four case groups containing 5, 10, 15, and 20% w/w of AgNPs. Each group consisted of 16 specimens. Silver Nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple deposition method. Three-point bending test was used in the universal testing machine (UTM) machine to evaluate the flexural strength of the specimens. The fractured surface of the ceramic samples was analyzed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In order to analyze the data obtained, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey tests were used (p <0.05). RESULTS: The results implied that the average flexural strength of the samples in the control group was 90.97 MPa and for the experimental groups reinforced with 5, 10, 15, and 20% w/w of AgNPs were 89, 81, 76, and 74 MPa, respectively. CONCLUSION: The addition of AgNPs with a certain amount (up to a concentration of 15% w/w) without reducing the flexural strength improves the antimicrobial properties of the materials used and ultimately improves its quality for dental applications. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The addition of AgNPs can improve the antimicrobial properties and suitability of the materials.