The effects of chemical polishing on dental acrylic resin properties are not well clarified. This study evaluated the effect of chemical and mechanical polishing on the residual monomer release (RM), Knoop hardness (KH), transverse strength (TS) and surface texture (ST) of a heat- and self-cured acrylic resin. Four groups were formed: GI-self-cured resin/mechanical polishing; GII-self-cured resin/chemical polishing; GIII-heat-cured resin/mechanical polishing; GIV-heat-cured resin/chemical polishing. Following the polishing procedures, specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C. The KH and RM measurements were taken after 1, 2, 8 and 32 days of storage, and TS after 2, 8 and 32 days. Surface texture was observed under SEM evaluation. Results were compared statistically at a confidence level of 95%. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) regardless of the acrylic resin and the period of analysis, chemical polishing increased RM levels, reduced KH, and did not affect TS significantly; (2) water storage increased the surface hardness of GII and GIV; (3) GII and GIV showed a smooth and wavy surface under SEM evaluation.

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of immersion period in two disinfectant solutions on dimensional change of four elastomeric impression materials. Materials and methods Four representative materials of each class of elastomers: Xantopren (polydimethylsiloxane—PDS), Express (polyvinyl siloxane—PVS); Permlastic (polysulfide— PS) and Soft Impregum (polyether—EP) were mixed according to manufacturers’ instructions and then inserted into a metal matrix prepared according to the specification of ISO 4823. The molds were removed from the matrix after 7 minutes and immersed in disinfectant solutions (sodium hypochlorite 0.5 and 2% glutaraldehyde) for 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes (n = 7), except the control group, which was not immersed. Once removed from solutions, the test samples were washed in water for 15 seconds, dried and measured three times, using a comparative optical microscope, with accuracy of 0.0005 mm. The analysis of variance with three criteria and Tukey's test with significance level of 5% showed that differences in linear dimensions of the materials analyzed were not statistically significant (p > 0.05) after soaking in sodium hypochlorite 0.5 and 2% glutaraldehyde, for the tested periods of time. Clinical significance Combinations of molding material and disinfecting solution can be used in the dental clinic for infection control, without changing the dimensional molds, for immersion periods not longer than 20 minutes. How to cite this article Carvalhal CIO, de Mello JAN, Sobrinho LC, Correr AB, Sinhoreti MAC. Dimensional Change of Elastomeric Materials after Immersion in Disinfectant Solutions for Different Times. J Contemp Dent Pract 2011;12(4): 252-258.

This study evaluated the internal adaptation, porosity, transverse and impact strength of three denture base polymers: (1) conventional heat-polymerized, (2) microwave-polymerized, and (3) injection-molded resins. Internal adaptation was measured by weighing a vinyl polysiloxane film reproducing the gap between the denture base and the metallic master model of an edentulous maxilla. The measurements were performed immediately after finishing and after 30-day storage in water. Porosity was evaluated by weighing each specimen in air and in water using an analytical scale balance. Transverse strength test (three-point bending test) was performed using a universal machine under axial load, at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min. Impact strength test (Charpy's test) was performed with a 40 kJ/cm load. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey test (alpha = 0.05). Internal adaptation, porosity, transverse and impact strength varied according to the type of acrylic resin and the processing technique. The injection-molded resin showed better internal adaptation compared with the conventional heat-polymerized and the microwave-polymerized resins, particularly after 30 days, but there was no relevant improvement of porosity, transverse and impact strength.

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This study aimed at establishing the polymerization time of a microwave-cured acrylic resin (AcronTM MC), simultaneously processing 2, 4, and 6 flasks. Required time was measured according to the parameters: monomer release in water, Knoop hardness, and porosity. Samples were made with AcronTM MC in different shapes: rectangular (32 x 10 x 2.5 mm) for monomer release and porosity; and half-disc (30 mm in diameter x 4 mm in height) for Knoop hardness. There were four experimental groups (n = 24 per group): G1) one flask (control); G2) two flasks; G3) four flasks, and G4) six flasks. At first, polymerization protocol was similar for all groups (3 min/450 W). Time was then adjusted for G2, G3, and G4, based on monomer release evaluation in the control group, obtained by spectrophotometer Beckman DU-70, with emitting wave of 206 nm. Knoop hardness test was performed using a Shimadzu HMV 2000 hardness tester, and 10 indentations were performed on each specimen's surface. Porosity was assessed after specimens were immersed in black ink and the pores counted in a microscope. Results showed that the complete polymerization of the resin occurred in 4.5 min for two flasks (G2); 8.5 min for four flasks (G3); and 13 min for six flasks (G4), all with 450 W. Statistical analysis revealed that the number of flasks does not interfere with polymerization, Knoop hardness, and porosity of the resin. Results showed that polymerization of microwave-curing resin with more than one flask is a viable procedure, as long as polymerization time is adjusted.