• Rumpai Rochanakit
• Piyawat Phankosol
• Panarat Kodkeaw

Objectives  The purposes of this study were to determine the physical properties of tissue conditioners which were cleaned by denture cleansers according to the manufacturers’ recommendations and soaked in tab water continuously for 3 weeks.

Materials and Methods  The study was carried on by using 4 brands of tissue conditioners (COE-SOFT™, Dura Conditioner, Trusoft™, and Visco-gel) and 3 brands of denture cleansers (Polident, Steradent, and Clean A Dent). Five hundred and twenty dumbbell shaped specimens (according to ISO 37 standard) were divided into 52 groups depending on the different tissue conditioners, denture cleansers and duration of soaking time. The color of each specimen was measured using the Ultrascan XE and the differences of color (∆E) were then calculated. Durometer type A was used to test the tensile properties of the materials. The data were collected and analyzed statistically. The one-way ANOVA was used to analyze the differences among groups of each week and at the beginning. The two-way ANOVA was used to analyze the effect of denture cleansers, tab water, and soaking times. Duncan’s Multiple Range Test was then used to find the differences between groups at 95% confidence level.

Results  The physical properties of all 4 brands of tissue conditioners were effected either in control groups which soaking in tab water all the time of in other groups which cleaning with denture cleaners (according to manufacturer’s direction) and soaking in tab water all the time. Within 3 weeks of study: color change was in clinical acceptable level; surface hardness was increased by duration and up to the highest value in third week; tensil strength was increased from the beginning and up to the highest value in first, second or third week depend on the brand of materials.

Conclusion  The physical properties (color, surface hardness, and tensile properties) of tissue conditioners were affected by the influence of denture cleansers, tab water, and soaking time at different levels.

(CU Dent J 2002;25:81-93)