One of the most important properties of artificial teeth is the abrasion wear resistance, which is determinant in the maintenance of the rehabilitation's occlusal pattern.
Objectives: This in vitro study aims to evaluate the abrasion wear resistance of 7 brands of artificial teeth opposed to two types of antagonists.
Material and methods: Seven groups were prepared with 12 specimens each (BIOLUX & BL, TRILUX & TR, BLUE DENT & BD, BIOCLER & BC, POSTARIS & PO, ORTHOSIT & OR, GNATHOSTAR & GN), opposed to metallic (M & nickel-chromium alloy), and to composite antagonists (C & Solidex indirect composite). A mechanical loading device was used (240 cycles/min, 4 Hz speed, 10 mm antagonist course). Initial and final contours of each specimen were registered with aid of a profile projector (20x magnification). The linear difference between the two profiles was measured and the registered values were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey's test.
Results: Regarding the antagonists, only OR (M = 10.45 +/- 1.42 microm and C = 2.77 +/- 0.69 microm) and BC (M = 6.70 +/- 1.37 microm and C = 4.48 +/- 0.80 microm) presented statistically significant differences (p < 0.05). Best results were obtained with PO (C = 2.33 +/- 0.91 microm and M = 1.78 +/- 0.42 microm), followed by BL (C = 3.70 +/- 1.32 microm and M = 3.70 +/- 0.61 microm), statistically similar for both antagonists (p>0.05). Greater result variance was obtained with OR, which presented the worse results opposed to Ni-Cr (10.45 +/- 1.42 microm), and results similar to the best ones against composite (2.77 +/- 0.69 microm).
Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, it may be concluded that the antagonist material is a factor of major importance to be considered in the choice of the artificial teeth to be used in the prosthesis.