The influence of steam cleaning procedures on the surface roughness of commonly used type III dental stone for the fabrication of removable dentures

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2012.00669.x The influence of steam cleaning procedures on the surface roughness of commonly used type III dental stone for the fabrication of removable dentures Objective:  This study investigated the possible detrimental effects of steam treatment on the surface of type III dental stone, which is a common laboratory material used for the construction of removable dentures. Material and Methods:  Forty dental stone specimens were prepared and divided into four groups (A, B, C and D), and group A was used as the control group. The other groups were treated with steam from a standard distance for varying durations (30, 60 and 120 s). Results:  The duration of steam cleaning significantly increased Ra values ( F  = 63.150, p  = 0.000). Similarly, the duration of steam application was directly correlated with the weight changes ( F  = 17.721, p  = 0.000). A significant amount of dental stone can be removed from the surface while treating with steam. Conclusion:  These studies demonstrated that expanded periods of steam cleaning cause weight loss and abrade the surface of type III dental stones; therefore, these devices should be used with caution during denture fabrication procedures.