Effect of storage solution on surface roughness of provisional crown and fixed partial denture materials

This study evaluated the surface roughness of polished provisional materials at baseline and after storage in artificial saliva and artificial saliva-coffee solutions.

Ten specimens (25 mm x 25 mm x 2 mm) of 12 commercially available provisional crown materials (5 methacrylate and 7 bis-acryl resins) were fabricated and polished. Baseline surface roughness measurements (Ra) were made using a surface roughness tester. Specimens were divided into 2 groups and stored in artificial saliva or artificial saliva-coffee solution at 37 degrees C for 2 weeks. Baseline surface roughness data were analyzed using the analysis of variance; multiple comparisons adjustment was made using the Tukey method. Multiple linear regression methods were used to analyze change in roughness relative to baseline and to assess the impact of storage medium, material, and baseline roughness on this change, including potential interactions among these 3 factors; descriptors of poststorage surface roughness were obtained.

Alike demonstrated the greatest surface roughness, both at baseline and after storage (p <0.05 after adjustment for all Pairwise comparison by Tukey method). Temphase, Temporary Bridge Resin, Instatemp, Unifast, Jet, and Zeta had the lowest baseline surface roughness measurements. The lowest poststorage roughness scores were associated with Protemp Garant, Jet, and Integrity. Five materials (Protemp Garant, Instatemp, Unifast, Jet, and Zeta), formed the group having the lowest rough poststorage outcomes. The data provided strong evidence of a material effect (p <0.0001) at baseline. Evaluation of change in Ra following storage indicated that surface roughness increased for the majority of materials after storage in a moist environment, and that provisional crown materials that exhibit less initial surface roughness tend to undergo greater surface roughness change in a moist environment. Strong indications were found that the effect of the type of storage solution used differed among the materials.

There were significant differences in surface roughness of provisional crown materials when polished under the same conditions. Methacrylate resins in general exhibited smoother surfaces after initial polishing. Surface roughness increased for nearly all materials after storage in either moist environment.