The influence of steam cleaning procedures on the surface roughness of commonly used type III dental stone for the fabrication of removable dentures.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the possible detrimental effects of steam treatment on the surface of type III dental stone, which is a common laboratory material used for the construction of removable dentures.


METHODS
Forty dental stone specimens were prepared and divided into four groups (A, B, C and D), and group A was used as the control group. The other groups were treated with steam from a standard distance for varying durations (30, 60 and 120 s).


RESULTS
The duration of steam cleaning significantly increased Ra values (F = 63.150, p = 0.000). Similarly, the duration of steam application was directly correlated with the weight changes (F = 17.721, p = 0.000). A significant amount of dental stone can be removed from the surface while treating with steam.


CONCLUSIONS
These studies demonstrated that expanded periods of steam cleaning cause weight loss and abrade the surface of type III dental stones; therefore, these devices should be used with caution during denture fabrication procedures.
Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul University, Capa-Istanbul, Turkey.
Altug
A
Cilingir
Onur
O
Geckili
Zeynep
Z
Parlar
Burc
B
Gencel
Ergun
E
Bozdag
Vedat
V
Temiz
D002133:Calcium Sulfate / Q000737:chemistry*; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D003779:Denture Design; D003824:Denture, Complete; D003832:Denture, Partial, Removable; D003890:Desiccation; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D013227:Steam; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
D003764:Dental Materials; D013227:Steam; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D002133:Calcium Sulfate