A Comparative Study to Evaluate The Softness of Heat Processed and Auto Polymerized Denture Relining Materials When Stored in Hard and Soft Water-An Invitro Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim To evaluate the effect of hard and soft water on softness of three commercially available soft liners. Material and Methods 8 specimens of 3mm height and 41mm diameter were fabricated from each soft liner on acrylic resin base of 3mm height and 44mm diameter. The specimens were stored in artificial saliva (Wet mouth, ICPA product) for14 hours in a day, at 37°C in an incubator and the rest of the time 4 specimens from each group were stored in hard water and 4 in soft water. Softness of each specimen was recorded using Shore-A durometer at the end of 1st, 7th, 15th, and 30th day. Results When compared between hard and soft water, the autopolymerized acrylic and autopolymerized silicone soft liners had significant reduction in softness on 7th day in hard water. The autopolymerized acrylic soft liner had least softness in both hard and soft water. The heat polymerized acrylic soft-liner showed maximum softness in both hard and soft Water. Conclusion Heat polymerized acrylic soft liner was proven to be softer than the other two materials followed by autopolymerized silicone and autopolymerized acrylic soft liners.