Long-term microwaving of denture base materials: effects on dimensional, color and translucency stability

Abstract While the combined effect of microwave irradiation with cleansing solutions on denture base materials has been investigated, the effects of only using microwave irradiation and, more importantly, in a long-term basis, was not studied yet. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a long-term repeated microwaving on the dimensional, color and translucency stability of acrylic and polyamide denture base materials. Material and Methods Thirty two specimens (32 mm x 10 mm x 2.5 mm) from polyamide (Valplast) and PMMA (Vertex Rapid Simplified) denture base materials were made. Eight specimens from each material were immersed in distilled water (control) and 8 were subjected to microwave exposure at 450 W for 3 minutes for a period simulating 224 days of daily disinfection. Linear dimension, color change (ΔE*) and translucency parameter (TP) were measured at baseline and after certain intervals up to 224 cycles of immersion, using a digital calliper and a portable colorimeter. The results were analysed using two-way repeated measures ANOVA to estimate possible differences among predetermined cycles and material type. Regression analysis was also performed to estimate the trend of changes with time. Statistical evaluations performed at a significance level of 5%. Results Data analysis showed significant changes in length at baseline with an increasing number of cycles (p<0.05) and a significant interaction of cycle-material (p<0.001). The ΔΕ* parameter was significantly higher with a higher number of cycles (p<0.001), but it did not vary between materials (p>0.05). TP decreased similarly in both materials following microwave action but in a significantly higher level for Valplast (p<0.001). Conclusions The results indicated that long-term repeated microwaving affects linear dimensional, color and translucency changes of both materials. Differences between PMMA and polyamide material were noted only in dimension and translucency changes.

Comparing depth-dependent curing radiant exposure and time of curing of regular and flow bulk-fill composites

Abstract The effect of restoration depth on the curing time of a conventional and two bulk-fill composite resins by measuring microhardness and the respective radiosity of the bottom surface of the specimen was investigated. 1-, 3- and 5-mm thick washers were filled with Surefil SDR Flow-U (SDR), Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill-IVA (TEC) or Esthet-X HD-B1 (EHD), and cured with Bluephase® G2 for 40s. Additional 1-mm washers were filled with SDR, TEC or EHD, placed above the light sensor of MARC®, stacked with pre-cured 1-, 3- or 5-mm washer of respective material, and cured for 2.5~60s to mimic 2-, 4- and 6-mm thick composite curing. The sensor measured the radiosity (EB) at the bottom of specimen stacks. Vickers hardness (VH) was measured immediately at 5 locations with triplicate specimens. Nonlinear regression of VH vs EB by VH=α[1-exp(-EB/β)] with all thickness shows that the values of α, maximum hardness, are 21.6±1.0 kg/mm2 for SDR, 38.3±0.6 kg/mm2 for TEC and 45.3±2.6 kg/mm2 for EHD, and the values of β, rate parameter, are 0.40±0.06 J/cm2 for SDR, 0.77±0.04 J/cm2 for TEC and 0.58±0.09 J/cm2 for EHD. The radiosity of the bottom surface was calculated when the bottom surface of each material attained 80% of α of each material. The curing times for each material are in agreement with manufacturer recommendation for thickness. It is possible to estimate time needed to cure composite resin of known depth adequately by the radiosity and microhardness of the bottom surface.

Influence of the processing technique on the flexural fatigue strength of denture base resins: An in vitro investigation.

Background : Though acrylic resins possess many desirable properties, denture fracture due to flexural fatigue or impact failure is a common problem. One major factor influencing the flexural fatigue strength of denture base resins is the processing technique used. Aim: To measure the flexural fatigue strength of denture base resins polymerized using short and long curing cycles using water bath, pressure cooker, and microwave polymerization techniques. Materials and Methods: Flexural fatigue strength of 60 samples (n=10) were measured using a cyclic 3-point loading method on a dynamic universal testing machine. Data were analyzed using a Student 't' test. Results : Comparative evaluation using Student's 't' test of mean flexural fatigue strength of samples processed by water bath processing (660.6) and the microwave technique (893.6) showed statistically significant (P <0.01) result with microwave processing being higher. Comparison of water bath (660.6) and pressure cooker (740.6) processing and microwave (893.6) and pressure cooker (740.6) processing using Student's 't' test was not statistically significant (P >0.05). In the intra-group analysis, it was found that there was statistically significant difference in samples processed using the short and long curing cycle, the latter being better in all groups, P-values being <0.05, <0.001, and <0.001 for water bath, microwave, and pressure cooker polymerization techniques, respectively. Conclusion : The polymerization procedure plays an important role in influencing the flexural fatigue strength of denture base resins, and the microwave long curing processing technique produced denture bases with highest flexural fatigue strength.

Effect of microwave disinfection on denture base adaptation and resin surface roughness

This study evaluated the effect of disinfection methods [chemical disinfection (immersion in 100 ppm chloride solution) or microwave disinfection (690 W for 6 min)] on the internal adaptation of denture bases and resin surface roughness. For the adaptation test, 18 maxillary denture bases were obtained from stone casts duplicated from a metallic master model and submitted to the following treatments: 1) control (no disinfection), 2) chemical disinfection or 3) microwave disinfection. Disinfection procedures were performed twice (T1, T2) with a 7-day interval between them. Internal adaptation was measured at baseline (T0) and after T1 and T2 by weighing a vinyl polysiloxane film reproducing the gap between the resin base and the master model. For surface roughness measurement, 60 rectangular (5x10x40 mm) resin specimens were either mechanically or chemically polished and then submitted to the disinfection treatments. Surface roughness (Ra) was recorded after polishing (T0) and after T1 and T2. Data were analyzed by ANOVA GLM for repeated measures and Bonferroni correction at 5 percent significance level. Bases submitted to microwave disinfection had gradual increase of misfit, while bases immersed in chloride solution did not differ from the control group. Surface roughness increased in the mechanical polishing groups with microwave disinfection and decreased in the chemical polishing groups.

Este estudo avaliou o efeito de métodos de desinfecção [desinfecção química (imersão em solução clorada 100 ppm) ou desinfecção por microondas (690 W por 6 min)] na adaptação interna de bases de próteses totais e na rugosidade superficial da resina. Para o teste de adaptação, 18 bases superiores foram duplicadas a partir de um modelo-mestre metálico e submetidas aos seguintes tratamentos: 1) controle (sem desinfecção), 2) desinfecção química ou 3) desinfecção por microondas. Os procedimentos de desinfecção foram realizados duas vezes (T1, T2) com intervalo de 7 dias. A adaptação interna foi medida no baseline (T0), após T1 e T2 por pesagem de um filme de silicona de adição que reproduzia o espaço entre base de resina e modelo-mestre. Para a rugosidade superficial, 60 espécimes retangulares (5x10x40 mm) receberam polimento mecânico ou químico e foram submetidos aos tratamentos de desinfecção. A rugosidade superficial (Ra) foi registrada após o polimento (T0) e após T1 e T2. Os dados foram analisados por ANOVA GLM para medições repetidas e teste de Bonferroni com nível de significância de 5 por cento. As bases submetidas à desinfecção por microondas tiveram aumento gradual de desadaptação, enquanto que as bases imersas em solução clorada não diferiram do grupo controle. A rugosidade superficial aumentou nos grupos de polimento mecânico e desinfecção por microondas e diminuiu nos grupos de polimento químico.