Evaluation of the Effect of a Tissue Conditioner on Surface Roughness of Dental Stone

Statement of the Problem: Although the primary use of tissue conditioners is to treat abused mucosa, these materials are also frequently used as functional impression materials. Insufficient information is available on the effect of these materials on the surface of dental stone casts. Purpose: This study evaluated the effect of a tissue conditioner (Acrosoft) on surface roughness of dental stone. Material and Methods: A tissue conditioner, Acrosoft (Marlic Medical Industries Co., Iran) was evaluated. One impression material (Impregum) was used as control. Ten specimens of Impregum and ۲۰ specimens of Acrosoft, stored in water bath for ۲۴ hours (n=۱۰) and ۴۸ hours (n=۱۰), were prepared. Ring and stone molds, specified in ISO specification ۴۸۲۳ and ADA specification ۱۹, were used in this study. Then, the stone mold was adapted on the ring, and the dental stone (Velmix) was mixed, poured over the top of each specimen and allowed to remain for ۶۰ minutes. Mean surface roughness (Ra) values of dental stone casts made from the tissue conditioner were determined using a profilometer. Ra values were compared with one-way and two-way ANOVA and Tukey test. Results: The results indicated that the surface roughness values significantly increased with the Acrosoft compared to that with Imperium (P=۰.۰۰۰). Duration of immersion in water had no significant effect on the surface roughness of stone casts (P=۰.۵۴). Conclusion: Acrosoft cannot be used as a functional impression material because it is not compatible with dental stone.