M Waters1, R Jagger, G Polyzois, K Williams. 1. Department of Basic Dental Science, University of Wales College of Medicine, Dental School, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
Abstract
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Maxillofacial prosthetic materials should simulate the oral tissues as much as possible and therefore have a similar flexibility and resilience. In light of the oral tissues constantly moving, the dynamic deformation properties of maxillofacial materials would seem the most relevant. PURPOSE: In this study, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis was used to evaluate the deformation properties of five silicone rubber materials used to construct facial prostheses. The technique involves the application of a sinusoidally oscillating stress to a material and analyzes how the material elastically or viscoelastically responds to the stress. The dynamic mechanical thermal analysis can operate at a fixed frequency or range of frequencies over a specific temperature range and also isothermally as a function of time. RESULTS: Cosmesil and A-2186 materials were the most resilient materials and Silbione had the greater energy absorption capacity, which was particularly noticeable at the higher frequencies. Silbione also had a lower shear modulus (G'), which indicated it was more flexible than the other materials. CONCLUSION: The dynamic mechanical thermal analysis proved to be a rapid, reliable, and convenient method for the determination of viscoelastic properties of maxillofacial materials.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Maxillofacial prosthetic materials should simulate the oral tissues as much as possible and therefore have a similar flexibility and resilience. In light of the oral tissues constantly moving, the dynamic deformation properties of maxillofacial materials would seem the most relevant. PURPOSE: In this study, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis was used to evaluate the deformation properties of five silicone rubber materials used to construct facial prostheses. The technique involves the application of a sinusoidally oscillating stress to a material and analyzes how the material elastically or viscoelastically responds to the stress. The dynamic mechanical thermal analysis can operate at a fixed frequency or range of frequencies over a specific temperature range and also isothermally as a function of time. RESULTS: Cosmesil and A-2186 materials were the most resilient materials and Silbione had the greater energy absorption capacity, which was particularly noticeable at the higher frequencies. Silbione also had a lower shear modulus (G'), which indicated it was more flexible than the other materials. CONCLUSION: The dynamic mechanical thermal analysis proved to be a rapid, reliable, and convenient method for the determination of viscoelastic properties of maxillofacial materials.