Effect of water and artificial saliva on mechanical properties of some denture-base materials.

Two artificial saliva samples selected on the basis of being chemically and physically similar to natural saliva were used as saturation media so that we could investigate their effects on mechanical properties of four denture-base materials, and the results were compared with the effect of water on the same materials. Diffusion coefficients in the more viscous saliva were different from those in water but, in general, mechanical properties were similarly affected in all liquids, indicating that the aqueous phase of the artificial medium was a major factor influencing the results.