Abstract: Objective To evaluate the wettability of the commonly-used clinical materials including Co-Cr alloy, Co-Cr-Mo alloy, pure titanium as well as heat-curing denture base resin in order to provide theoretical guidance for choosing the suitable clinical materials for complete denture base. Methods The contact angles were tested respectively when artificial saliva was dropped on differently treated Co-Cr alloy, Co-Cr-Mo alloy, pure titanium and heat-curing denture base resin samples. The wettability of the four kinds of materials was reflected by the contact angles. Results ①All the four kinds of materials had a smaller contact angle in group polishing in the same manner as clinical practice when compared with the high polishing group and the difference was statistically significant. ②In high polishing group, heat-curing denture base resin had the largest contact angle, followed by titanium, Co-Cr alloy and Co-Cr-Mo alloy had the minimum contact angle. There was statistically significant difference between different materials with paired comparison except Co-Cr alloy and Co-Cr-Mo alloy. ③In groups polishing in the same manner as clinical practice, pure titanium had the largest contact angle, followed by heat-curing denture base resin, Co-Cr alloy and Co-Cr-Mo alloy. The differences between different materials were statistically significant except the Co-Cr alloy and Co-Cr-Mo alloy. Conclusion Co-Cr alloy and Co-Cr-Mo alloy had better wettability than pure titanium and heat-curing denture base resin. Considering the influence of wettability on retention force, we should choose Co-Cr alloy and Co-Cr-Mo as complete denture base materials as they are better for the retention.

Key words: wettability, contact angle, retention