Long-term aging effects on surface properties and microbial adhesion of light- and auto-polymerizing hard reline...

Hard reline procedures are commonly used to improve denture fit; however, the long-term durability of reline materials remains unclear. This study evaluated time-dependent changes in the surface properties and biofilm adhesion of light- and auto-polymerizing hard reline materials following long-term immersion in artificial saliva. The findings may help determine optimal timing for clinical intervention and enhance prosthesis longevity.

Specimens of three materials-light-polymerizing reline, auto-polymerizing reline, and heat-polymerizing denture base polymethyl methacrylate-were immersed in artificial saliva for up to 180 days. Auto-polymerizing materials continue to polymerize over time, whereas light-polymerizing materials require light irradiation. The surface properties were evaluated based on Vickers hardness, surface roughness, color stability, contact angle, and Candida albicans (C. albicans) biofilm adhesion.

After 180 days, the light-polymerizing material exhibited a significant increase in hardness (P < 0.001), whereas the auto-polymerizing material exhibited an increase from day 120 (P < 0.001). Contrastingly, the heat-polymerizing PMMA exhibited a significant decrease in hardness. The surface roughness increased nearly threefold for the auto-polymerizing material, indicating pronounced degradation. Color changes in the light-polymerizing material were weaker than those in the auto-polymerizing material at all time points except at 60 and 150 days. C. albicans adhesion increased significantly in the auto-polymerizing material (P = 0.034), whereas the light-polymerized material showed no significant change (P = 0.258).

Time-dependent changes in surface characteristics were observed in both reline materials. The light-polymerizing material superior stability throughout the immersion period compared with that of the auto-polymerizing material, indicating superior long-term performance.