Effects of Short and Long-Term Immersion in Denture Cleansers on the Dimensional Stability of Acrylic Denture Base Material

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of three commercially available denture cleansing solutions on the dimensional stability of heat cure acrylic denture bases. 
 Methods: Twenty four maxillary acrylic denture base samples were constructed and divided into four groups. Group 1. water as control, group 2. 1% Sodium hypochlorite, group 3. 2% Chlorhexidine, and Group 4. Kin tablet solution. Linear dimensional measurements were conducted along with five-time intervals: 0 times: before immersion, three days, ten days, one month, and two months after immersion. After each time interval, the specimens were photographed in a standardized manner, and the images were evaluated by Image J software. The dimensions between six projection points on the intaglio surface of denture bases were recorded and compared. Data were submitted to statistical analysis (Two-way ANOVA, Tukey test, p < 0.05).
 Results: All specimens in three disinfectant solutions and water exhibited a small amount of linear expansion at all time intervals. The expansion was significant compared to the 0-time immersion. On the tenth day of immersion, the dimensional change becomes stable and constant until the end of the two months. Among the three disinfectants, 1% of Sodium hypochlorite registered the least expansion in some measured lines at two-time intervals followed by 2% Chlorhexidine.
 Conclusions: Cleanser solutions induced dimensional changes on acrylic denture bases similar to the effect of water in all examined measurements. The long time cleanser's immersion had the same effect on the dimension as the short time effect.