Abstract
Deterioration of tissue conditioners (TC) was assessed using nine kinds of commercially available TC. The weight of each TC, internal porosity, surface roughness, contact angle, antibacterial properties and adherence of bacteria immersion in 37°C water as a simulative intraoral environment. The effect of a coating agent on prevention of deterioration was also studied.
The surface of TC was roughened by immersion in water for one week. The weight also underwent changes. The antibacterial properties were lost by immersion in water. Immersion in a chemical-soak cleaner caused roughening of the surface to almost the same degree as did immersion in water. Application of the coating agent on TC was effective for prevention of roughening of the surface and change in weight. It also inhibited adherence of Candida albicans. However, adherence of Streptococcus mutans and Bacteroides gingivalis was increased. Thus, adherence of bacteria was not always inhibited.
These results suggested the relatively early deterioration of TC and the necessity of avoiding the excessively prolonged use of TC even when coated with a coating agent.
