title: Equilibrium strengths of denture polymers subjected to long-term water immersion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study characterized the effect of water immersion on the strength of denture polymers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four denture-base polymers and four denture-reline polymers were tested for flexural strength at proportional limits (FSpl) at 24 hours and at monthly intervals. The equilibrium strength of each polymer was estimated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The denture polymers took from 24 hours to 4 months to reach their equilibrium strength. The equilibrium strengths of the denture polymers were significantly different.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Water immersion affected the strength of most denture polymers. Different denture polymers behaved differently in response to water immersion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Removable Prosthodontics, Fukuoka Dental College, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kawaguchi
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003819:Denture Bases; D003822:Denture Liners; D003823:Denture Rebasing; D007101:Immersion; D008422:Materials Testing; D018583:Pliability; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013718:Tensile Strength; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; D014867:Water