An in-vitro evaluation of the influence of different polymerization methods on residual monomer amount of acrylic resins reinforced with polyethylene fibers.

In recent years fibers are used to improve the mechanical properties of acrylic resins. Acrylic resins may cause local tissue reactions and residual monomer is the primary factor for these reactions. In this study residual monomer amount of polyethylene fiber reinforced and unreinforced acrylic resin polymerized different methods was evaluated by in vitroAcrylic resin specimens were reinforced with cross-link stitch leno woven form Ribbond polyethylene fiber. Reinforced and unreinforced ppecimens were prepared by using four different polymerization methods (heat polymerized, autopolymerized, gamma and microwave polymerized). Five specimens were prepared for each group. Amount of residual monomer was evaluated by using UV-VIS device. Results were analysed with one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey HSD and paired samples t testThe highest residual monmer content was found in autopolymerized reinforced and unreinforced groups, the lowest residual monomer was found in microwave polymerized reinforced and unreinforced groups. In heat polymerized groups; fiber reinforcement decreased residual monomer content insignificantly (p>0,05), increased residual monomer content of other groups significantly (p<0,05), respectively