The effects of surface machining on heat cured acrylic resin and two soft denture base materials: a scanning electron microscope and confocal microscope evaluation

Statement of problem. Rough surfaces promote the adhesion and colonization of denture plaque, therefore it is important to know the character of the surface left by rotary instruments on denture base materials. As a single microscopic technique can introduce artifact, complementary microscope techniques need to be used. Purpose. This study investigated the surface characteristics of the machined surfaces of heat-cured acrylic resin, Molloplast B and Novus. Material and methods. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy were used to investigate surfaces that had been prepared with appropriate clinical rotary instruments. Thirty samples of each material were prepared with steel and tungsten carbide burs, Molloplast stones, and Arbor bands. An analysis of variance, with the Scheffe multiple comparison of means test, was used to compare average surface roughness of the individual surfaces. Results. The tungsten carbide bur produced a smoother nongrooved surface than the steel bur on acrylic resin. The roughest surfaces were produced on the soft lining materials by the Arbor band and Molloplast stone. Conclusions. The confocal microscope is a valuable complementary instrument to scanning electron microscopy and provides surface roughness data by using a noncontact method. Each type of rotary instrument produces its own characteristic surface on denture base materials. (J Prosthet Dent 1997;77:200-8.)