Effect of 0.5% glutaraldehyde disinfection on surface wettability of elastomeric impression materials

Purpose: The purpose of this in-vitro study was to evaluate the effect of 0.5% glutaraldehyde spray disinfection on surface wettability of vinyl polysiloxane and polyether impression materials.

Methods and materials: Thirty-six specimens were prepared of vinyl polysiloxane-light (VPL), vinyl polysiloxane-regular (VPR) viscosity and polyether-monophase (PE) impression materials according to manufacturer's recommendations. Specimens of each material were equally divided into control and experimental groups. All specimens were washed with water, dried and stored in closed containers. Specimens of experimental groups were sprayed with 0.5% glutaraldehyde disinfectant. The disinfectant was allowed to be in contact with the impression surface for 10 min. Contact angle was measured using a Contact Angle Goniometer at 0.5, 1 and 2 min after water drop contact with surfaces of impression materials. Five measurements at five different areas at each impression surface were recorded. A statistical analysis was done using Two-way repeated measures ANOVA and multiple comparison Tukey's Post-hoc tests.

Results: All 0.5% glutaraldehyde-disinfected impression materials showed lower contact angle measurements than non-disinfected ones. Contact angle measurements of PE were much lower than those of VPL and VPR impression materials. However, there was a statistically significant difference of contact angle measurements between the three impression materials (p = 0.000). Contact angle measurements of all groups significantly decreased as the time was increased (p = 0.000).

Conclusion: Disinfection of the tested impression materials with 0.5% glutaraldehyde improved their wettability. Glutaraldehyde acted like a surface reducing agent (surfactant) that improved wetting potential of the impression materials.