The Effect of Denture Cleansers on Color Stability, Water Sorption and Solubility of Stained Denture Base Materials

Background and Objectives: Denture cleanser is the most widely used method by the patients to maintain clean and healthy dentures but the prolonged use of such cleansers may affect the properties of the denture. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of three prepared denture cleansers which were the 4% citric acid, 4% tartaric acid, and 4% oxalic acid in addition to the Protefix a commercially available denture cleansers, on some mechanical and physical properties (color stability, water sorption, and solubility) of acrylic resin (Stellon QC-20) and flexible nylon (Vaplast) denture base materials after immersion in tea solution. Methods: One hundred specimens (100) were prepared in two equal major groups: acrylic resin and Valplast. For each test of the physical and mechanical properties, 50 specimens were prepared, 25 from acrylic resin and 25 from Valplast. Later on, divided into five groups, one group used as a control and immersed in distilled water, and remaining 4 groups used as test groups; by immersing in one of the denture cleansers after staining in tea solutions for 10 days. The effect of denture cleansers on the properties was studied and compared with the control group. Results: Visual examination method showed no color changes for acrylic and slight color change for valplast specimens. Valplast specimens showed higher water sorption and solubility than acrylic. Conclusions: The findings showed that the 4 denture cleansers were equally effective, and did not cause significant alteration in the tested properties. Except acrylic specimens immersed in oxalic acid showed less color stability.