INTRODUCTION: The hardness of denture base materials may undergo changes due to continued polymerization reaction and water uptake. However, the extent to which these processes affect the hardness of materials is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: In this study, the degree of conversion of two hard chair-side reline resins (Duraliner II-D and Kooliner-K) and one heat-cured acrylic resin (Lucitone 550-L) was evaluated indirectly by measuring the surface hardness. The effect of immersion in water on this property was also analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After processing following the manufacturers' instructions, specimens (5mm diameter and 2mm thickness) were dry stored at room temperature and the Vickers hardness (VHN) was measured with a hardness tester after 0, 2, 7, 30 and 90 days. Specimens were then immersed in water at 37ºC and hardness was evaluated after the same time intervals. Five specimens were prepared for each material. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test (P=.01). RESULTS: When dry stored, material L showed an increase in hardness (P<.01) from 0-day (VHN=23.2) to 30-day (VHN=27.1), after which no significant change was observed. A continuous increase in hardness was observed for material D from 0-day (VHN=4.6) to 90-day dry storage (VHN=7.3). For material K, an increase in hardness was observed up to 7-day (VHN=9.2), and then leveled off (P>.01). After 2-day water storage, all materials showed a significant reduction in hardness (P<.01). CONCLUSION: In general, the hardness of the materials evaluated increased during dry storage and decreased after immersion in water.
Denture bases; Acrylic resins; Hardness
