Surface treatment of a temporary soft liner for increased longevity

This is a preliminary report on the use of several surface-conditioning agents on a commonly used temporary soft lining material. The surface of the material was treated with either poly(ethyl methacrylate) monomer, mono-poly glaze, or Minute-Stain glaze. Samples were compared with untreated soft liner before and after it was worn by a patient for 30 days. The scanning electron microscope was used to analyze samples. Initially the surface of all samples was intact, with the samples treated with mono-poly glaze and Minute-Stain glaze having fewer irregularities. After 30 days, untreated liner and that treated with monomer showed severe wear with resultant exposure of generalized pits and holes. Most of the defects represented exposure of subsurface air bubbles incorporated during mixing. The mono-poly glaze-treated specimen retained the glasslike appearance that it had before it was worn for 30 days. The Minute-Stain glaze specimen appeared irregular, although without the extensive pitting seen in the first two types of specimens.