Crosslinked Polymers as Denture Adhesive Performance Enhancers

Objectives: Current work describes qualitative and quantitative improvements in the overall performance characteristics of a conventional denture adhesive cream composition through incorporation of water insoluble but swellable polymers. Denture adhesive creams generally contain fine powders of Poly(vinyl methyl ether co-maleic anhydride) (PVME-MA) and Sodium Carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) that are dispersed in a petrolatum/mineral oil carrier. These hydrophilic polymers applied on denture are hydrated and activated by the saliva in the mouth to form a viscoelastic adhesive hydrogel that helps stabilize the denture. Water swellable crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymers (5% w/w) were incorporated in an oil-based denture adhesive prototype to better control the rate and degree of hydration as well as control swelling that governs oozing and material lose.

Methods: Prototype denture adhesive creams were developed by suspending adhesive components like salts of PVME-MA copolymers, NaCMC and small amounts of water swellable crosslinked PVP polymers. Adhesive strength, hold duration, swelling and oozing of prototype denture adhesive creams were evaluated for 7 hours using an in-vitro test method under continuous saliva infusion. Performance of prototype denture adhesives containing crosslinked PVP performance enhancers were compared with control and commercial denture adhesives without crosslinked PVP polymers.

Results: In vitro test results showed that in corporation of small amounts of crosslinked PVPs significantly improved the overall adhesion strength of an oil-based denture adhesive prototype while controlling ooze. Other qualitative parameters such as shelf life stability and cream consistency were also found to achieve better control compared to a control denture adhesive cream without a crosslinked PVP
Conclusions: incorporation of water swellable crosslinked PVP polymers, may help to improve adhesion, oozing and shelf life stability related issues of denture adhesives creams.