The effects of the incorporation of chlorhexidine acetate on some physical properties of polymerized and plasticized acrylics.

The effects on the water uptake and weight loss of the incorporation of chlorhexidine acetate in heat cured acrylic and an acrylic gel soft liner was determined. Hardness and transverse bend measurement were similarly made for admixtures to heat and cold cured acrylics. Following soaking in water for 87 days the heat cured test specimens demonstrated an initial weight gain followed by a progressive loss, the soft liner test specimens however all showed weight gains. Drying back specimens to constant weight revealed significantly greater weight losses in test compared to control specimens for both the cured acrylic and gel liner. However these weight losses were less than the chlorhexidine content for 5 and 10% admixtures. Hardness and moduli of elasticity measurements were significantly reduced for heat and cold cured acrylics containing chlorhexidine. The property changes observed in the materials would be consistent with the pattern of incorporation of chlorhexidine into the matrix. However, these do not negate the carriage of medicaments in these materials for prolonged delivery within the oral cavity, if employed as rebase or reline materials in existing prostheses.