Color changes of denture base materials after disinfection and sterilization immersion

This study evaluated the effects of chemical disinfectants on the color of denture base materials. Materials tested included Paladon 65 (Kulzer, Friedrichdorf, Germany), Triad VLC (Dentsply Int, York, PA), and ProBase Cold (Ivoclar, Schaan, Liechtenstein). The disinfectants were Klinex (Lever Hellas, Athens, Greece), Cidex-7 (Johnson & Johnson, East Windsor, NJ), Hibitane (Imperial Chemical, Macclesfield, UK), and Cabadol (Detax Karl Huber, Ettlingen, Germany). Denture material samples were placed in the various disinfectants and evaluated for color changes (delta E*) at intervals of 10 minutes, 10 hours, and 7 days. Changes in color were measured using a tristimulus colorimeter on 10 samples for each denture material and disinfectant combination. It was concluded that if the recommended disinfecting times are followed, no observable color changes should be anticipated for the denture materials tested. Even the long-term (7-day) immersion caused observable color changes only with Cabadol, a phenol-based disinfectant, and ProBase and Triad denture materials.