Color stability after accelerated aging of two silicones, pigmented or not, for use in facial prostheses

One of the greatest challenges faced by buccomaxillofacial prosthetists is to reproduce the patient's exact skin color and provide adequate esthetics. To reach this objective, professionals must use materials with easy characterization and that maintain color over long periods of time. The objective of this study was, thus, to evaluate the color stability of two types of silicones, Silastic 732 and Silastic MDX4-4210. Twenty-four test specimens were made from each type of silicone and were divided into a colorless group and groups intrinsically pigmented with ceramics, cosmetics or iron oxide. The specimens were submitted to an accelerated system of aging for non-metallic materials. Readings were carried out initially and after periods corresponding to 163, 351, 692 and 1,000 hours of aging, using a reflection spectrophotometer analysis, and color alterations were calculated by the CIE L*a*b* system. The data were submitted to variance analysis and Tukey's test at a 5% level of probability. The results demonstrated that, irrespective of the period of time analyzed, all the materials underwent some type of chromatic alteration (ΔE > 0). The test specimens made with Silastic 732 and MDX4-4210, without pigmentation, presented the lowest color alteration values after 1,000 hours of aging. Of the pigments, ceramic presented the lowest color alteration values and cosmetic powder presented the highest values. Thus, it may be concluded that the materials without the incorporation of pigments presented similar color alteration values, and did not differ statistically. The cosmetic powder used in this study was the pigment that most altered the color of the test specimens

Prosthetic Rehabilitation of Partial Ear Defect: 2 Case Reports

The loss or absence of an auricle may result from trauma, disease or congenital anomalies and causes a considerable aesthetic problem. If the deformity involves the external auditory canal, it can affect hearing. This case report describes the surgical and prosthetic treatment of two patients with partial defects of their right external ears from different causes. Implant-retained auricular prostheses fabricated from heat-temperature-vulcanised silicone were used in both the cases; they were designed to be harmonious with the remaining tissues. The patients experienced improved retention, aesthetics, hearing and quality of life with these prostheses. During the approximately 3 year follow-up, both the prostheses were re-fabricated once; however, problems related to implant stability and peri-implant tissue health were not encountered

The compatibility of denture cleansers and resilient liners Influência dos agentes químicos de limpeza sobre reembasadores resilientes de próteses

PURPOSE: Difficulty in cleaning resilient denture liners remains a material disadvantage. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of denture cleansers on hardness of resilient liner materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three resilient liners, Luci Sof® (Dentsply), Molloplast-B® (Dentax), and Sofreliner® (Tokuyama), and two denture cleansers, Efferdent® (Warner-Lamber), and 0.5% alkaline hypochlorite preparation were used. Twenty specimens of each material were prepared, measuring 25X15X3mm. Two denture cleansing approaches were used: 1) alkaline hypochlorite, for 20 minutes; 2) alkaline peroxide, for 30 minutes. This procedure was repeated 8 times a day, during 90 days. The specimens were evaluated before and after 360 and 720 cycles, to simulate 1 and 2 years of clinical cleaning procedures, respectively. The Shore A hardness was evaluated in a durometer (Teclock GS-709A), with a penetrating load of 10N for 1 second. Any macroscopic changes, such as loss of color or alteration in surface texture were recorded by one observer. All numeric data were subject to ANOVA with repeated measures followed by Tukey's test (alpha= 0.05). RESULTS: All materials were significantly different, independently to time and treatment. Initially, Luci Sof® and Sofreliner® immersed in either hypochlorite or peroxide increased the hardness mean values significantly. These hardness mean values decreased significantly after 720 cycles. Molloplast-B® showed no significant difference after the treatments, in any time. CONCLUSIONS: Denture cleansers had no effect on hardness of the resilient denture liners evaluated after 2 years of in vivo simulated conditions of hygiene. Sofreliner® was the smoothest material before and after all treatments.<br>PROPOSIÇÃO: A maior desvantagem dos materiais reembasadores resilientes é a dificuldade em mantê-los limpos. Esse trabalho avaliou o efeito de agentes de limpeza sobre a dureza de reembasadores resilientes. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados os materiais Luci Sof® (Dentsply), Molloplast-B® (Dentax) e Sofreliner® (Tokuyama), e os agentes de limpeza Hipoclorito de Sódio a 0,5% (Medicinallis-Farmácia de Manipulação) e Efferdent® (Warner-Lamber). Foram confeccionadas 20 amostras de cada material, com dimensões de 25X14X3mm. Foram realizados 2 tratamentos: 1) Hipoclorito de Sódio a 0,5% a 37 + 1ºC, durante 20 minutos; 2) Peróxido Alcalino, a 37 + 1ºC, durante 30 minutos. Após as imersões, as amostras foram lavadas e imersas em água destilada, a 37 &plusmn; 1ºC, pelo período restante das 24 h. Esse processo foi repetido 8 vezes por dia, durante 90 dias. A dureza foi avaliada antes e após 360 e 720 ciclos, correspondente a 1 e 2 anos de uso clínico, respectivamente. O ensaio de dureza Shore A foi realizado em durômetro modelo GS-709 (Teclock-Japão), com aplicação de carga de 10 N por 1 segundo. Alterações macroscópicas, como perda de cor e alteração da superfície, foram avaliadas por um observador. Os resultados obtidos foram submetidos à ANOVA com medidas repetidas e ao Teste de Tukey (5%). RESULTADOS: Os materiais apresentaram diferença significante nos valores médios de dureza, independente do tratamento e do tempo. Luci Sof® e Sofreliner® aumentaram os valores médios de dureza inicialmente, os quais diminuíram após 720 ciclos significativamente, para ambos os tratamentos. Molloplast-B® não apresentou diferença significante nos diferentes tempos e tratamentos. CONCLUSÕES: Os tratamentos em agentes de limpeza não alteraram os valores de dureza dos reembasadores resilientes após 2 anos de simulação clínica. Sofreliner® apresentou os menores valores de dureza, em todos os tempos e tratamentos, apresentando-se como o material mais macio