Effects of thermocycling on the tensile bond strength of three permanent soft denture liners

This study investigated the effect of in vitro accelerated aging reproduced with thermocycling on the bond strength of three commercially available permanent denture soft liners (PermaSoft, Dentuflex, Ufi-gel) with one heat-polymerized polymethyl methacrylate resin denture base (QC-20) by tensile test.

Ten specimens were prepared for control and test groups of each material for a total of 60 specimens. All controls were stored in water (37 degrees C) for 24 hours before testing. All test groups received 3000 thermal cycles consisting of 1 minute at 5 degrees C and 1 minute at 65 degrees C. All specimens were submitted to a tensile test using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min. Results were statistically analyzed (ANOVA, p < or = 0.05, Tukey's post-hoc test).

The mean bond strength of control specimens was (MPa): 0.32 (Ufi-gel), 0.49 (PermaSoft), and 1.19 (Dentuflex). There was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) between Ufi-gel and PermaSoft, but both were statistically different (p < 0.05) when compared to Dentuflex. After thermocycling, the mean bond strength was (MPa): 0.18 (Ufi-gel), 0.81 (PermaSoft), and 3.32 (Dentuflex). All materials were statistically different (p < 0.05). Ufi-gel had the lowest value and Dentuflex the highest in both control and test groups. Dentuflex presented only adhesive failure; in the remaining groups, there was no predominant failure mode, except Ufi-gel control with no adhesive failure.

Despite presenting greater bond strength, thermocycling had a deleterious effect in Dentuflex; Ufi-gel may be adequate for short-term use.