Contribution of postpolymerization conditioning and storage environments to the mechanical properties of three interim restorative materials

Statement of problem. Because polymer-based interim restorative materials are weak, even well-made restorations sometimes fail before the definitive restoration is ready for insertion. Therefore, knowing which fabrication procedures and service conditions affect mechanical properties is important, particularly over an extended period. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of thermal treatment, surface sealing, thermocycling, storage media, storage temperature, and age on autopolymerizing poly(methylmethacrylate) and bis-acryl interim restorative materials. Outcome measures were flexural strength, Vickers surface microhardness, and impact strength. Material and methods. Flexural strength and microhardness of poly(methylmethacrylate) (Jet Acrylic) and 2 bis-acryl-composite resin (Protemp 3 Garant and Integrity) interim restorative materials were evaluated as affected by storage media, storage temperature, storage time, thermocycling, postpolymerization thermal treatment, or application of a surface sealer. In total, 2880 beam specimens (25×2×2 mm) were fabricated. Mechanical property analyses were made at 10 days, 30 days, 6 months, and 1 year after specimen preparation. Flexural strength was determined by using a 3-point bending test in a universal testing machine with a 1 kN load cell at a crosshead speed of 5.0 mm min^-1. Fracture specimens were recovered and used for determining Vickers microhardness. Measurements were made with a 0.1 N load and 15 second dwell time. Three microhardness measurements were made for each specimen, and the mean was used for reporting Vickers microhardness. Notched impact specimens (64×12.7×6.35 mm) were fabricated from Jet, Protemp 3 Garant, and Integrity interim restorative materials, yielding 288 impact specimens. Impact strengths were assessed at 10 days, 30 days, 6 months, and 1 year with a 2 J pendulum. The effects of the various experimental treatments were determined and rank ordered with analysis of variance, F ratios, and least square means differences Student t tests (α=.05). Results. All experimental treatments investigated had significant effects on flexural strength, with material (P<.001) and thermocycling (P<.001) being dominant. Moreover, all experimental treatments investigated had a significant overall impact on Vickers microhardness with material (P<.001) and Palaseal glaze (P<.001) showing large effects. Material (P<.001) and age (P=.010) had a significant effect on impact strength. Conclusions. Mechanical properties of some interim polymeric materials can be improved by postpolymerization heat treatments or surface glazing. This procedure may extend the useful lifetime of some bis-acryl interim restorations.