Degradation of repaired denture base materials in simulated oral fluid

This in vitro study evaluates the degradation of repaired denture bases upon immersion in a simulated oral fluid. Denture base materials (Luciton 199®), after being repaired by Repair Material® and Triad®, using three different joint surface designs (butt, round and 45° bevel), were immersed onto 99.5 vol.% ethanol/water solution (with similar solubility parameter) for various amounts of time (0-72 h). The flexural loads of the six combination of groups were measured by the three-point bending tests using a universal testing machine. Acoustic emission (AE) during sample fracturing were processed using the MISTRA 2001 system. The fracture pattern and surface details of the interface were examined with a scanning electronic microscope (SEM). Data were analysed using three-way ANOVA and Tukey LSD tests. SEM micrographs of the fracture interface were used to differentiate the fracture mode. The flexural loads (2.72 ± 0.51 Kgf) of the round joint specimens were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those (butt: 1.66 ± 0.38 Kgf, 45° bevel: 1.93 ± 0.41 Kgf) of the other two designs. This corresponds to the microscopic examination in which more cohesive failure mode was found for the round joint group after storage. The flexural loads (2.54 ± 0.39 Kgf) of the specimens repaired with Triad® were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those (1.59 ± 0.40 Kgf) of specimens repaired with Repair Material®. Significant progressive reduction of the flexural load and/or AE signals of the specimens was noted in proportion to the length of time of the immersion in the simulated oral fluid. Mechanical strength of a denture base repaired with a round joint design and light-cured material is significantly higher after immersion in simulated oral fluid.