The effect of polymeric denture modified in low-temperature glow discharge on human oral mucosa: Clinical case

Purpose

The modification hot curing poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) denturebase “Villacryl H Plus” in RF-discharge plasma is described.

Methods

The PMMA was modified in the non-temperature low-pressure oxygen RF-discharge (13.56 MHz).

Results

The plasma chemical modification of PMMA plates decreased the water contact angles by 1.5-2.5 times with respect to unmodified samples while their surface free energy (SFE) increased up to 1.5 times due to the formation of additional oxygen containing polar chemical groups at the plasma-modified PMMA surfaces. Although the ageing effect of modified PMMA was observed, its wettability was still higher than that of the original PMMA at least after 7-day storage. The technique has been successfully applied for the modification of removable PMMA denture, which was used in clinical practice for oral orthopedic rehabilitation of a patient after the treatment of buccal mucosa cancer. Whenusing the non-modified denture the patient complained of discomfort and food chewing problems and the hypertrophic red flat oral lichen formed at the patient’s cheek. The full regression of lichennodules and associated inflammation was observed after the usage of the plasma modified denture for one week. Within six-month ware of the plasma modified denture no pathological elements or neoplasms were found on the patients’ oral mucosa.

Conclusion

Plasma modification of the dentures made of hot curing PMMAincreases the SFE and wettability of the polymer and improves its adhesion to oral tissues. The biocompatible hydrophilic denture surface has less irritating effect in comparison with the non-modified one, as the positive clinical dynamics showed.