Abstract
The addition of drugs to the cold cured acrylics has been demonstrated to variably affect their mechanical properties. This study investigated the effects, to the mechanical properties of a cold cured denture base material, of the addition of drugs and water. Chlorhexidine acetate was incorporated into the denture reline material at 10% w/w in the polymer phase of the material. Specimens also contained 10, 20, or 30% water w/w in the monomer phase of the material with or without the drug. The hardness of the specimens decreased with the addition of water to drug containing or drugβfree specimens. Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in the modulus of elasticity of the material with the addition of drugs and water or water alone, which was progressive as the amount of water increased. The load at fracture was similarly reduced as the water incorporation increased. The results demonstrated the considerable effects drug and water incorporation had upon the material. However, this would not negate the use of the material in the oral cavity in the reline or rebase situation employing existing prostheses. Moreover, the reduction in material strength may have the advantage of progressive loss of material with a resulting improved release pattern of the contained drug.