Effect of different chemical disinfectants on the flexural strength of heat-polymerized acrylic resins

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of chemical disinfectants on flexural strength of denture base acrylic resins. A total of 176 rectangular specimens (65x10x3 mm) were made from four heat-polymerized acrylic resins (Triplex,QC-20, Meliodent and Acropars) (n=44). The specimens were thermal cycled for 5000 cycles 5-55 degrees C and randomly divided into four groups (n=11). The specimens were immersed in 1% sodium hypochlorite, 2% glutaraldehyde, 10% Micro 10 or water for 30 minutes. The flexural strength was evaluated using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min. Data were subjected to 2-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD (alpha=0.05). The highest flexural strengths of denture base resins were achieved after immersion in water (Triplex=128.9+/-12.8, QC-20=125+/-11.8, Meliodent=96.2+/-11.4 and Acropars=78.1+/-12.3 MPa). Triplex and QC-20 showed the highest flexural strengths in all of the solutions (P<0.05). The flexural strength of denture base acrylic resins was significantly affected by immersion in disinfection solutions but the reduction in flexural strengths of Triplex, QC-20 and Meliodent after disinfection by %1 sodium hypochlorite, %2 glutaraldhyde and Micro 10 were clinically insignificant.