Effect of denture cleansers on the surface properties and color stability of 3D printed denture base materials

To evaluate the effect of denture cleansers on surface roughness, hardness and color stability of 3D printed resins compared to heat-polymerized resin.

Acrylic specimens (N = 160) were prepared using one heat-polymerized (HP) and three 3D printed denture base resins. Specimens per material were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10) according to immersion solutions as follows: distilled water (DW), sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), effervescent tablet 1 or effervescent tablet 2. Color changes (∆E) were measured using a spectrophotometer. Surface roughness (Ra, µm) and microhardness were evaluated. The results were analyzed using one- and three-way ANOVA with Tukey's post hoc test (α = 0.05).

After 360 days of cleaning protocols, we observed a significant increase in the surface roughness of tested materials (P<0.001). Hardness values significantly decreased in all groups (P<0.001), except HP and ND specimens, cleaned with effervescent tablet 1 (P>0.05) and AS specimens with effervescent tablet 2 (P = 0.051). According to the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) score, all denture base specimens had 'perceivable' to 'extremely marked' color change after immersion in NaOCl, while immersion in effervescent tablets 1 and 2 resulted in a 'slight' to 'marked' color change.

3D printed denture bases exhibited changes in surface roughness, hardness and color similar to HP denture base material. The use of denture cleansers resulted in a time-dependent increase in surface roughness and a decrease in hardness. The color change was significant with NaOCl, while effervescent denture cleansers produced a minimal color difference.

Denture cleansers seem to influence surface properties over time. The degree of impact is mainly dependent on the type of cleanser selected, regardless of the type of denture base material.