Effects of chemical disinfectants on the transverse strength of denture base acrylic resins

The disinfection of dental prostheses by immersion in a chemical solution should be capable of rapid inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms, without causing any adverse effect on the denture base resins. This study evaluated the effect of disinfection immersion on the transverse strength of two heat-cured resins. The denture base resins (Lucitone 550 and QC 20) were polymerized according to the manufacturers' instructions. After polymerization, the specimens were polished, and then stored in water at 37 degreesC for 50 +/- 2 h prior immersion in one of the following solutions for 10 min: 4% chlorhexidine, 1% sodium hypochlorite and 3.78% sodium perborate. The specimens were submitted to disinfection twice, simulating when dentures come from the patient and before being returned to the patient. Ten specimens were made for each group. The transverse strength was evaluated by a 3-point bend test. The flexural strength of the two denture base acrylic resins evaluated remained unaffected after immersion in the three solutions evaluated. In general, the QC 20 resin specimens exhibited lower transverse strength than the Lucitone 550 resin specimens, regardless of immersion solutions.