Various Commercially Available Flexible Denture Base Materials at Various Time Intervals – An In Vitro Study

K Srinivas; D Hima Mounika; Y Ravi Shankar; M Hari Krishna; T Satyendra Kumar; R Sunitha

K Srinivas Gitam Dental College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh,India,
D Hima Mounika Gitam Dental College, Visakhapatnam,Andhra Pradesh, India,
Y Ravi Shankar Gitam Dental College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
M Hari Krishna Gitam Dental College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
T Satyendra Kumar Gitam Dental College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
R Sunitha Gitam Dental College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Keywords: Artificial saliva, Breflex,, Color stability,, Flexible denture base materials,, Flexural strength,, Surface roughness,, TCS,, Valplast,, Weight change

Abstract

methacrylate) is still being used for the fabrication of dentures. Flexible denture base materials are the best alternative to
conventionally used denture base resins, which provide excellent aesthetics, comfort, and flexibility.
Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare flexural strength, color stability, surface roughness, and weight change
of four commercially available flexible denture base materials immersed in artificial saliva for various time intervals.
Materials and Methods: Stainless steel die prepared with the dimension 40 mm × 10 mm × 3 mm. One hundred and twenty
samples were prepared and divided into four groups based on the materials. Materials used are Valplast, Breflex, TCS
unbreakable, and Iflex. Initial measurements were recorded for color stability, surface roughness, and water sorption. For flexural
strength, the initial measurements were taken as control. Samples were stored in artificial saliva for 1 month and 3 months,
respectively, and final measurements were noted. Three-point bend test was done in universal testing machine for flexural
strength; color stability with Vita easy shade spectrophotometer. Surface roughness with profilometer and the weight change
was evaluated using an analytical balance.
Results: A statistically significant difference was seen (P < 0.01) between Valplast, Breflex, TCS, and Iflex for flexural strength,
color stability, surface roughness, and weight change with significant difference between time intervals. An increase in surface
roughness and weight with increased immersion from 1 month to 3 months was observed whereas flexural strength and color
stability decreased from 1 month and 3 months.
Conclusion: Increase in immersion time increases the surface roughness, weight and decreases the color stability and flexural
strength of Valplast, Breflex, TCS, and Iflex. Better properties were exhibited by Breflex after 1 month and 3 months of immersion
in artificial saliva than Valpalst, TCS, and Iflex.

Author Biographies

K Srinivas, Gitam Dental College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh,India,

Professor, Department of Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge and Implantology

D Hima Mounika, Gitam Dental College, Visakhapatnam,Andhra Pradesh, India,

Post Graduate, Department of Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge and Implantology

Y Ravi Shankar, Gitam Dental College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Vice Principle, Professor and Head of the Department, Department of Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge and
Implantology

M Hari Krishna, Gitam Dental College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Reader, Department of Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge and Implantology

T Satyendra Kumar, Gitam Dental College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Reader, Department of Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge and Implantology

R Sunitha, Gitam Dental College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Senior Lecturer, Department of Prosthodontics and Crown and Bridge and Implantology

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