Abstract
Heat cured polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) has been used as denture bases since 1937. PMMA is a vinyl polymer, made by free radical vinyl polymerization from the monomer methyl methacrylate [1]. After the success of using as prosthetic material in the mouth, PMMA began to be used in other areas, for example in facial prosthetics, for facial epitheses. The facial epitheses are exposed permanently to ambiental changes (temperature, air currents, humidity). Secondary, for a better esthetic effect, in facial epitheses PMMA often contain variables quantities of natural fibers (cotton, wool). Our study has analyzed how a PMMA facial epithesis reacts to temperature changes during heat exposure in the summer, especially depending on the amount of fiber it contains, considering that the biological interface between the prosthesis and facial tissues is sensitive to heat [2].
Highlights
Treatment of maxillofacial diseases can result in severe impairment of the patient aesthetic, selfperception and social life
After 1 min the heat exchange was visible in infrared, as a consequence the saline solution presented a decrease of temperature at 52.2oC and the 6 acrylic replacement prostheses displayed a selective increase of the maximal temperatures ranging from 30.9 to 33.1oC, depending on the amount of the inserted cotton fiber (Figure 5)
As the amount of textile fibers increases in the prosthesis, the time necessary for the heat exchange with the environment increases, but the prosthesis is no less comfortable based on the fact that it is not a provider of a thermal discomfort sensation [12, 13]
Summary
Treatment of maxillofacial diseases can result in severe impairment of the patient aesthetic, selfperception and social life. Satisfying results associated with high aesthetic and social reintegration are sometimes possible with facial epitheses. Facial epitheses represents a serious alternative to craniofacial reconstructive surgical techniques. Heat cured polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) has been used as denture bases since 1937. PMMA is a vinyl polymer, made by free radical vinyl polymerization from the monomer methyl methacrylate [1, 2]. After the success of PMMA as prosthetic material in the mouth, PMMA began to be used in other areas, for example for facial epitheses. PMMA is one of the main materials used for facial epitheses, along with silicones, natural rubbers, elastomers, polyvinylchlorides
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