Influence of Disinfectants on the Surface Quality of Plaster Models

Objectives: The aim of this in-vitro-study was to evaluate the effect of three disinfectants on the surface quality of orthodontic plaster models.
Methods: Five alginates (Blueprint® Cremix (Dentsply De Trey, Germany), Palgat™ plus (3M™Espe™ Germany), Tetrachrom (Kaniedenta, Germany), Xantalgin® Crono (Heraeus Kulzer, Germany), Xantalgin® Select (Heraeus Kulzer, Germany)) and one A-silicone (Kettosil® (Kettenbach, Germany)) were tested for compatibility with three disinfectants (Impresept™ (Espe GmbH &Co. KG, Germany), Kanipur (Kaniedenta, Germany), Silosept® (Kettenbach, Germany)) using different disinfection times (10; 20; 2x10; 60; 480 minutes). Specimens without disinfection served as control. A stainless stell test block (DIN EN ISO 6873) was used for the impressions. A total amount of 576 plaster models were poured out using Esthetic Base© (Dentona AG, Germany). The surface roughness of the plaster models was assessed using a micro surface feeler that averaged measured roughness values Rz (profilometric analyses with Perthometer S3P). Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS software 25.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Values of p<0.05 were considered to be significant. For statistical evaluation of metric variables (normally distributed) Student's t-test was used.
Results: The averaged roughness values of all disinfected alginates were determined between Rz=9.56µm (Xantalgin® Crono and Impresept™ for 480 minutes) and Rz=46.72µm (Blueprint® Cremix and Silosept® for 60 minutes). The A-silicone showed smoother surfaces with Rz=4.77µm (Kanipur for 60 minutes) and Rz=6.85µm (Silosept® for 480 minutes).
Conclusions: All the casts poured out of the five alginates measured highest averaged roughness values following disinfection with Silosept®. Significantly smoother surfaces were produced with the disinfectants Impresept™ and Kanipur. It can be concluded that the tested disinfectants have effects on the surface quality of plaster models.