Wettability changes in polyether impression materials subjected to immersion disinfection.

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Surface Chemistry
• Infection Control

Background:

• Disinfection of dental impression materials is crucial for preventing cross-contamination.
• Chemical disinfectants may adversely affect the surface properties, such as wettability, of impression materials.
• Polyether impression materials are widely used in dentistry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of four different chemical disinfectants on the wettability of polyether impression material.
• To assess wettability changes after immersion for 10 and 30 minutes.

Main Methods:

• Polyether impression material samples were immersed in 2% glutaraldehyde, 5% sodium hypochlorite, 0.05% iodophor, and 5.25% phenol for 10 and 30 minutes.
• Contact angle measurements using a Telescopic Goniometer assessed wettability.
• Statistical analysis included ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test.

Main Results:

• Control samples exhibited a contact angle of 20.21° ± 0.22°.
• Sodium hypochlorite and phenol significantly increased the contact angle after 10 minutes.
• After 30 minutes, only iodophor did not significantly alter the contact angle, while other disinfectants decreased wettability.

Conclusions:

• 2% glutaraldehyde is safe for 10-minute immersion disinfection of polyether impression material.
• 0.05% iodophor is a potential disinfectant that preserves the wettability of polyether impression materials.