Does the plasma application time affect the tensile bond strength between PMMA and a silicone-based denture liner?

This study evaluated the effect of oxygen plasma and argon plasma treatments with different application times on tensile bonding of a silicone-based denture liner to polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA).

Seven groups (n = 5) were prepared and six of them treated by argon plasma or oxygen plasma with 30s, 60s, and 120s, respectively; one group was left untreated served as control. After processing of denture liner, the specimens were deflasked and stored dry for 24 h, and they were then subjected to tensile bond strength testing. Differences in tensile bond strength values were determined using one-way ANOVA (α = 0.05).

Highest tensile bond strengths were observed in the oxygen plasma groups, followed by untreated group and argon plasma groups in turn in order. Tensile bond strenght were increased with time for both type of plasma applications tested.

This study suggests that the adhesion between PMMA and denture liner is improved under conditions of oxygen plasma treatment with extended exposure time rather than argon plasma treatment.