Influence of surface sealant agents on the surface roughness and color stability of artificial teeth

Abstract

Statement of problem. Although various surface sealant agents are available and recommended for chairside polishing procedures, their effect on the surface roughness and color stability of denture teeth is not clear.

Purpose. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of sealant agents on the surface roughness and color stability of various denture tooth materials.

Material and methods. Eighty disk-shaped specimens were prepared for each type of denture tooth material (SR Vivodent, PMMA; Vitapan, reinforced-PMMA; SR Phonares II, composite resin). The specimens were assigned to 4 groups according to the surface treatment used (n=20): surface sealant agents (Palaseal; Heraeus Kulzer GmbH, Optiglaze; GC Corp Biscover; Bisco Inc) and a conventional laboratory polishing technique (control group). A thermal cycling procedure was applied for half of the specimens (n=10). The surface roughness (R-a) values of thermocycled and nonthermocycled specimens were measured with a profilometer. The CIELab color parameters of both thermocycled and nonthermocycled specimens were measured with a spectrophotometer at baseline and after 7-day storage in a coffee solution. The color differences were calculated from the CIEDE2000 (Delta E-00) formula. Data were statistically analyzed with 3-way ANOVA and the Tukey HSD test (alpha=.05).

Results. The type of tooth material, surface treatment technique, and their interactions were significant for R-a values, and each variable and their interactions were also significant for Delta E-00 values (P<.05). Thermal cycling had a significant effect only on Delta E-00 values (P<.05).

Conclusions. Palaseal and Optiglaze sealant agents provided smoother and more color-stable denture tooth surfaces than the conventional polishing technique. The use of the Biscover agent with SR Vivodent and Phonares II teeth increased the R-a values. The color of conventionally polished SR Vivodent and Phonares II teeth changed more with thermal cycling.