Effect of storage in artificial saliva and thermal cycling on Knoop hardness of resin denture teeth.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different storage periods in artificial saliva and thermal cycling on Knoop hardness of 8 commercial brands of resin denture teeth.


METHODS
Eigth different brands of resin denture teeth were evaluated (Artplus group, Biolux group, Biotone IPN group, Myerson group, SR Orthosit group, Trilux group, Trubyte Biotone group, and Vipi Dent Plus group). Twenty-four teeth of each brand had their occlusal surfaces ground flat and were embedded in autopolymerized acrylic resin. After polishing, the teeth were submitted to different conditions: (1) immersion in distilled water at 37+/-2 degrees C for 48+/-2h (control); (2) storage in artificial saliva at 37+/-2 degrees C for 15, 30 and 60 days, and (3) thermal cycling between 5 and 55 degrees C with 30-s dwell times for 5000 cycles. Knoop hardness test was performed after each condition. Data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha=.05).


RESULTS
In general, SR Orthosit group presented the highest statistically significant Knoop hardness value while Myerson group exhibited the smallest statistically significant mean (P<.05) in the control period, after thermal cycling, and after all storage periods. The Knoop hardness means obtained before thermal cycling procedure (20.34+/-4.45 KHN) were statistically higher than those reached after thermal cycling (19.77+/-4.13 KHN). All brands of resin denture teeth were significantly softened after storage period in artificial saliva.


CONCLUSIONS
Storage in saliva and thermal cycling significantly reduced the Knoop hardness of the resin denture teeth. SR Orthosit denture teeth showed the highest Knoop hardness values regardless the condition tested.
Assunção
Wirley Gonçalves
WG
Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, Araçatuba Dental School, Sao Paulo State University, José Bonifácio, 1193, Araçatuba, Sao Paulo 16015-050, Brazil. wirley@foa.unesp.br
Gomes
Erica Alves
EA
Barão
Valentim Adelino Ricardo
VA
Barbosa
Débora Barros
DB
Delben
Juliana Aparecida
JA
Tabata
Lucas Fernando
LF
D003824:Denture, Complete; D006244:Hardness; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008422:Materials Testing; D012117:Resins, Synthetic / Q000592:standards*; D012464:Saliva, Artificial / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
D012117:Resins, Synthetic; D012464:Saliva, Artificial