Purpose: To evaluate the color stability and mechanical properties of two commonly used maxillofacial silicone elastomers after addition of pigments and opacifiers and before and after artificial aging.
Materials and methods: This study evaluated two maxillofacial silicone elastomers: A-2000 and M511. Two different pigment and opacifier systems (e-Skin and Reality Series) were used with the elastomers. Control groups (no pigment or opacifier) and experimental groups (each with subgroups containing additional pigments and/ or opacifiers) were fabricated for each of the silicone elastomers. A total of 51 specimens were evaluated for color stability, and 100 for mechanical properties. A spectrophotometer was used to assess CIE L*a*b* values before and after aging. CIELAB 50:50% perceptibility threshold (ΔE* = 1.1) and acceptability threshold (ΔE* = 3.0) were used to interpret color changes. A durometer and universal testing machine were used to evaluate the mechanical properties. ANOVA and Fisher least significant difference (LSD) test were performed to determine the statistical significance of the results (P < .05).
Results: Significant differences in color measurements (ΔE*) were found for all silicone groups following artificial aging (P < .05). ΔE* values for the mixed pigment/opacifier subgroups of both elastomers were below the perceptibility threshold. Additionally, after aging, the hardness, tear strength, and tensile strength significantly increased for all silicone groups (P < .05), while percent elongation significantly decreased (P < .05).
Conclusion: Artificial aging affected the color stability and mechanical properties of the pigmented silicone elastomers with added opacifier. Overall, A-2000 with e-Skin group displayed the most color stability, with its mechanical properties being the least affected by artificial aging.
