Disinfection Effect on Surface Properties of Prosthodontic Polymer Impression Materials: An In Vitro Study

This study was conducted to evaluate the surface roughness, shore hardness, and dimensional accuracy of commercially obtainable Prosthodontic polymer impression material in terms of imbibition after immersion in two different media and without disinfection. This in vitro study was designed to investigate the surface properties of polymer impression materials before and after disinfection by immersion. Materials with different consistencies (alginate (irreversible hydrocolloid), condensation silicone (putty), and addition silicone (putty) impression materials) were investigated. The tested null hypothesis was the fact that there would be no significant differences in surface properties among these Prosthodontic polymer impression materials. Two disinfecting agents, Zeta 7 solution and ASEPTOPRINT, were used to assess the surface roughness, hardness, and dimensional accuracy of the impression material. The weights of the discs of the Prosthodontic polymer impression material samples were measured before and immediately after immersion to determine if there was a change in the properties of the material. study was conducted at the Advanced Medical Polymer Group in the Libyan Polymer Research Center to evaluate the surface properties of prosthodontic polymer impression materials. Data analysis included mean, standard deviation, and One-way ANOVA calculations. The study showed that the surface properties of dental polymer impression materials were affected by disinfection methods. Specifically, for alginate material, there were significant differences in surface properties between the control group (before immersion) and after immersion in zeta 7 solution and ASEPTOPRINT spray. However, for addition silicone (putty), there was a significant difference in surface properties between the control group and after immersion in zeta 7 solution, while immersion in spray did not show a significant difference. For condensation silicone (putty) material, there were significant differences in surface properties between the control group and after immersion in both zeta 7 solution and ASEPTOPRINT spray. The study concluded that disinfection methods can affect the surface properties of dental polymer impression materials.