Cleanser solutions and dental polymethyl methacrylate: their effects on the mechanical and physical properties

Abstract

Research into previous studies has highlighted the absence of experimental work with regards to cleanser solutions and their effects on dental materials. Therefore the question was raised as to whether the exposure of alkaline peroxide based and hypochlorite based cleanser solutions was detrimental to the mechanical and physical properties of dental polymethyl methacrylate. Aluminium mould tools were designed and constructed to produce near perfect test samples. Destructive tensile, flexural, impact and indentation tests were performed to asses the mechanical post-saturation behaviour of the material. Dimensional stability and weight gain changes were recorded to determine the effect on physical behaviour. Results strongly indicated the detrimental effects of cleanser exposure as samples consistently showed a significant loss of strength as a result. Statistical analysis determined the loss in strength to be significant. Dimensional instability was found to be exaggerated in the cleanser groups whilst weight gain was found to be relatively uniform across the variables, Plasticisation and the degradation of internal fillers were attributed to the loss of strength and stability. Further studies should consider the incorporation of clinical trials as well as the inclusion of additional property tests.