Plasma Surface Treatment of Heat-Cured Acrylic Resin Material A Narrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32828/mdj.v22i1.1279Keywords:
Plasma treatment, PMMA, heat-cured acrylic resin, denture base, modification, antimicrobial effect, wettability, bond strengthAbstract
Aim: This narrative review was an attempt to assess the impact of plasma surface treatment on Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) heat-cured acrylic resin with special attention on surface properties and antimicrobial activity. Methods: The PRISMA method was used to identify literature in PubMed, Google Scholar, and Research Gate databases. Articles published from January 2016 to March 2025 that explored the topic of plasma surface treatment of heat-cured acrylic resin were taken into consideration. Out of the 183 studies found, 32 studies were found to meet the inclusion criteria. Results: The analyzed literature proved that Atmospheric Pressure Cold Plasma treatment and Dielectric Barrier Discharge treatment substantially enhanced wettability and surface energy of PMMA based on functional groups polarization incorporation. These changes on the surfaces continuously decreased adhesion of microbes, especially Candida albicans, and prevented the formation of biofilms. Moreover, the bond strength between PMMA and soft liners, coatings and adhesives, was improved through plasma treatment. These effects differed in their magnitude with parameters of plasma (gas type, exposure time, etc.) Conclusion: Plasma surface treatment can be a promising technique of enhancing biofunctionality and longevity of heat-curing PMMA dentures. Nonetheless, it requires standardized treatment regimens and long-term clinical trials that can establish its clinical reliability.
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