Perbedaan Biodegradabilitas Komposit Plastik Polypropylene dan CaCO3 Cangkang Kerang Darah (Anadara granosa) sebagai Bahan Baku Model Gigi dengan Konsentrasi yang Berbeda

Abstract

Clinical skills, such as tooth preparation, are essential in dental education. Pre-clinical students use dental models as learning media to train preparation skills. However, dental models have weaknesses in terms of mechanical and physical properties, such as non-biodegradability, which leads to waste accumulation since dental models are used only once. To address this issue, the composite of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) from blood cockle shells and polypropylene (PP) can potentially serve as new raw materials for dental models. This study examined three types of concentration between CaCO₃ and PP: type I (25:75); type II (17:83); and type III (12:88); with n=10. The CaCO₃ was obtained from blood cockle shells that had been cleaned, boiled with 15% acetic acid, dried, ground, sieved, and analyzed using a Particle Size Analyzer (PSA), which showed an average particle size of 0.35 μm. The PP were melted in the oven and mixed with the CaCO₃ until homogeneous, then poured into the mold and compressed using a hydraulic press at 60 bar for 5 minutes. The specimens, sized 10x10x20mm, were removed from the mold and polished. The biodegradability test was performed using the soil burial test method and analyzed using One-Way ANOVA and Post-Hoc (LSD) tests. The highest weight loss was observed in type I (29,17±0,67%); type II (23,81±1,5%); and type III (19,25±2,68%). The estimated degradation time was the fastest in type I (20,56±0,47 days); type II (25,20±1,6 days); and type III (31,17±1,48 days). The highest degradation rate was observed in type I (10,2±0,32 mg/days); type II (9,5±0,39 mg/days); and type III (7,07±0,87 mg/days). One-Way ANOVA analysis showed significant results (p<0,05). It can be concluded that the composite of CaCO₃ from blood cockle shells and polypropylene type I (25:75) has the fastest biodegradation capability, with a significant difference in biodegradability across the ratios of 25:75; 17:83; and 12:88.