title: Biodegradation of acrylic based resins: A review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The development of different types of materials with application in dentistry is an area of intense growth and research, due to its importance in oral health. Among the different materials there are the acrylic based resins that have been extensively used either in restorations or in dentures. The objective of this manuscript was to review the acrylic based resins biodegradation phenomena. Specific attention was given to the causes and consequences of materials degradation under the oral environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information from scientific full papers, reviews or abstracts published from 1963 to date were included in the review. Published material was searched in dental literature using general and specialist databases, like the PubMED database.
  
  
  METHODS
  Published studies regarding the description of biodegradation mechanisms, in vitro and in vivo release experiments and cell based studies conducted on acrylic based resins or their components were evaluated. Studies related to the effect of biodegradation on the physical and mechanical properties of the materials were also analyzed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Different factors such as saliva characteristics, chewing or thermal and chemical dietary changes may be responsible for the biodegradation of acrylic based resins. Release of potential toxic compounds from the material and change on their physical and mechanical properties are the major consequences of biodegradation. Increasing concern arises from potential toxic effects of biodegradation products under clinical application thus justifying an intensive research in this area.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Medicines and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Lisbon, Portugal. asimao@ff.ul.pt
authors.forename: Ana F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Bettencourt
authors.forename: Cristina B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Neves
authors.forename: Marise S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: de Almeida
authors.forename: Lídia M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
authors.forename: Sofia Arantes e
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Luís P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.forename: Matilde F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Castro
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D001711:Biotransformation; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008768:Methylmethacrylates / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D008768:Methylmethacrylates