The Effect of Microwave Disinfection on Dimensional Stability and Flexural Strength of Acrylic Resins

Background and Aim: Several studies have evaluated the effect of microwave radiation on physical properties of acrylic resins. However, due to the recent introduction of heat-cure and cold-cure acrylic resins into the dental market and rapid popularity of cold-cure resins with less distortion in denture base, the present study sought to assess the effect of microwave disinfection on dimensional stability and flexural strength of two recently introduced heat-cure (Ivoclar) and cold-cure (FuturaGen) acrylic resins . Materials and Methods : In this laboratory study, acrylic models were fabricated of an edentulous maxillary model using Ivoclar and FuturaGen acrylic resins. Three reference points were marked on the model: two in the back and one in the front of the edentulous arch. These reference points were used for the measurement of dimensional stability in the anteroposterior and cross-arch dimensions. Ten specimens of each acrylic resin were not disinfected. Ten samples were subjected to two 3 min cycles of microwave disinfection with 600 watt power. Distances between the reference points were measured by a Profile Projector. To evaluate flexural strength, a metal mould measuring 64x10x3.3 mm was used for the fabrication of resin specimens. Similar to what was done for dimensional stability testing, 10 specimens of each acrylic resin were not disinfected and 10 other samples were subjected to 3-point bending test after disinfection. Data were compared and statistically analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test . Results: The mean difference in anteroposterior and cross-arch dimensions revealed that two cycles of microwave disinfection of Ivoclar and FuturaGen acrylic resins did not have a significant effect on their dimensional stability (P>0.017). The mean and standard deviation of the flexural strength of FuturaGen acrylic resin before and after disinfection was 76.86±16.80 and 70.18±8.48, respectively. These values for Ivoclar acrylic resin were 85.92±12.23 and 81.91±6.59, respectively. Two cycles of disinfection with microwave did not cause a significant effect on flexural strength of the two understudy acrylic resins (P>0.05) . Conclusion: Two cycles of microwave disinfection had no negative effect on dimensional stability or flexural strength of FuturaGen and Ivoclar acrylic resins